Jim, I have also reservations now about this being an eared grebe; I
called Thais Bock and mentioned, after a second and closer observation,
that the bird appeared to have a sooty black head with golden
plumes..........and a reddish neck. When I first saw this
bird at a distance, it "looked" like an eared grebe; however, at a
don't-even-need-binos distance, this critter really does look like an
out-of-season-plumed HORNED GREBE. But, I could hardly believe a horned
grebe having the breeding plumage so late. Thanks for the back-up, and I
hope to get additional scrutiny of this "holiday-dressed" grebe before the
CBC next Sunday. And, it's back to the literature to see if there are any
reports about horned grebes having out-of-season plumage. Have
eared/horned hybrids ever been suspected?

The more questions, the more questions!
Maureen Ellis me2 at u.washington U of WA and Des Moines WA
************************************************************************
On Mon, 23 Dec 1996, Jim P. Flynn wrote:

> Hi Maureen,
>
> Thanks for the update on the Des Moines Marina, I always
> enjoy birding there but don't go as often as I'd like.
> After reading about the Eared Grebe I went by about 8:45
> this morning before work to look for it. I saw what I'm sure was
> the same bird - how many could bee in breeding plumage? It was
> very close to the same area, perhaps G or H slips. Although I
> didn't have my scope I got a decent look at about 30 or 40 feet
> and I'm wondering if it could be a Horned Grebe. Although the
> front of the neck might have been blackish like Eared I really
> didn't get an up-close enough look. The crown shape (flattish?)
> and the bill shape looked more like Horned Grebe. It also
> didn't float as high as most Eared Grebes, showing the promi-
> nent fluffy rump. Sometimes Horned grebes look fluffy-rumped but
> usually they ride lower in the water.
> I hope to stop by again tomorrow afternoon around 3. If
> you're arouns and see me there feel free to
> come on out.
>
> Have a great Christmas,
>
> Jim Flynn
> bf519 at scn.org
>