Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) is in the Grebes family (Podicipedidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 18,166 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in January.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: spring and fall migrant. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Eared Grebe: observations by month (U.S.)
About Eared Grebe
The black-necked grebe (Podiceps nigricollis), known in North America as the eared grebe, is a member of the grebe family of water birds. It was described in 1831 by Christian Ludwig Brehm. There are currently three accepted subspecies, including the nominate subspecies. Its breeding plumage features a distinctive ochre-coloured plumage that extends behind its eye and over its ear coverts. The rest of the upper parts, including the head, neck, and breast, are coloured black to...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Eared Grebe by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 11,854 | January | Oct–Apr |
| Texas | 1,124 | January | Nov–Apr |
| Nevada | 768 | April | Mar–Jun |
| Utah | 660 | May | Apr–May |
| Arizona | 532 | April | Oct–May |
| Oregon | 457 | May | Apr–Nov |
| Colorado | 440 | April | Apr–May |
| Idaho | 242 | October | Sep–Nov |
| Montana | 232 | August | Apr–Sep |
| Wyoming | 220 | May | Apr–Sep |
| New Mexico | 184 | November | Oct–Dec |
| Washington | 180 | October | Jan–Nov |
| North Dakota | 137 | June | Apr–Jul |
| Oklahoma | 107 | April | Mar–Apr |
| South Dakota | 97 | May | Apr–Jun |
| Illinois | 93 | April | Feb–May |
| Nebraska | 87 | May | Apr–Jun |
| Kansas | 78 | April | Apr–May |
| Ohio | 78 | November | Nov–Jan |
| Michigan | 71 | November | Sep–Nov |
| Minnesota | 66 | April | Apr–Jun |
| Florida | 46 | December | Nov–Jan |
| New York | 43 | September | Sep–Nov |
| Maryland | 41 | March | Mar–Mar |
| Massachusetts | 40 | December | Dec–Mar |
| Louisiana | 35 | November | Nov–Dec |
| Wisconsin | 33 | April | Apr–May |
| Virginia | 27 | February | Feb–Feb |
| Pennsylvania | 24 | March | Mar–May |
| New Jersey | 22 | January | Sep–Feb |
| Mississippi | 20 | November | Oct–Feb |
| Tennessee | 19 | November | Nov–Dec |
| North Carolina | 17 | January | Jan–Feb |
| Missouri | 16 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Iowa | 15 | April | Apr–May |
| Indiana | 12 | October | Oct–Jan |
| Georgia | 10 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Connecticut | 8 | February | Feb–Feb |
| District of Columbia | 7 | January | Jan–Jan |
| Arkansas | 6 | November | Oct–Nov |
| Kentucky | 5 | February | Feb–Feb |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Grebes)
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Eared Grebe?
Nationally, January has the most observations, with the main season from September to May.
Where is Eared Grebe most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Texas, Nevada.