Watercolor portrait of Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis)

Eared Grebe

Podiceps nigricollis
Common Advertising duet

Learn to identify the Eared Grebe by ear. Master the "kwee-kwee-kwee-trrrrr" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.

“kwee-kwee-kwee-trrrrr”

What the Eared Grebe sounds like

The Eared Grebe is a diminutive, highly buoyant waterbird famous for its striking breeding plumage of velvety-black body, fiery red eye, and a sweeping fan of golden feathers that flare behind the ear. Outside the breeding season it transforms into a subtle gray-and-white bird that can be tricky to pick out from other grebes. It is the most abundant grebe in the world and a master of adaptation to saline lakes where it gathers in the hundreds of thousands to molt and fatten up on brine shrimp before long migratory flights.

“kwee-kwee-kwee-trrrrr”

How to tell it apart

Listen for:A series of rising whinnying notes followed by a trill, given by both sexes on breeding ponds. Often written as “kwee-kwee-kwee-trrrrr”.
Don't confuse with:The Horned Grebe — horned shows thicker straight bill with pale tip

Where you'll hear it

Breeds across the western interior of North America from the Canadian Prairies south through the Great Basin and high plains. Winters primarily in ice-free waters of the Southwest U.S., Mexico, and the Pacific coast; also occurs in Central America and the Caribbean.

Shallow saline or alkaline lakes, marshy ponds, prairie potholes, and coastal lagoons; favors open water with emergent vegetation nearby for nesting.

• April–July: Breeding on prairie wetlands. • Late Jul–Oct: Post-breeding molt congregations on hypersaline lakes (e.g., Great Salt Lake, Mono Lake). • Oct–Mar: Winters on coastal bays, larger lakes, and inland saline waters.

Similar species

Horned Grebe

Horned shows thicker straight bill with pale tip

Pied-billed Grebe

Stockier with stout pale bill bearing dark band

Eared Grebe song FAQ

What does an Eared Grebe sound like?
A series of rising whinnying notes followed by a trill, given by both sexes on breeding ponds. Listen for the "kwee-kwee-kwee-trrrrr" phrase.
How do I tell an Eared Grebe from a Horned Grebe by sound?
Horned Grebe: Horned shows thicker straight bill with pale tip; Breeding Horned has orange cheek patch (not fan-like) and black back; Non-breeding Horned has clean white cheek separated from cap by sharp line; Eared’s dark cap extends below eye.
When is the best time to hear an Eared Grebe?
• April–July: Breeding on prairie wetlands. • Late Jul–Oct: Post-breeding molt congregations on hypersaline lakes (e.g., Great Salt Lake, Mono Lake). • Oct–Mar: Winters on coastal bays, larger lakes, and inland saline waters.