Hello birders,
I am setting up a research project on the diving/foraging
behaviour of Western Grebes (Aechmophoros occidentalis) and would like
to know if there are any of these birds in captivity. My study will
consist of observations at sea of diving grebes while they are
wintering off the British Columbia coast. I would be interested in
observing the diving behaviour of captive birds, so I may better
understand their behaviour in the wild. Other closely related species
such as the Red-necked Grebe are of interest to me as well. If you
are aware of a commercial aquarium that keeps these diving birds,
please let me know.
Another point of interest to me is whether birders in
Washington State have observed Western Grebes on marine waters during
the summer months. The Royal B.C. Museum has records during the late
70's and early 80's of a group of Western Grebes (non-breeders) which
remained for the summer off Saltspring Island. The sightings cover
several years but I have no records of more recent sightings. I would
be interested in more recent sightings in both B.C. and Washington
State waters.
Thanks for your help,

James Clowater, Victoria, B.C. (clowater at sfu.ca)