Dana, caring for a wild bird that needs help is an honor, really. But of course
you're risking the possible sad loss. If it makes you feel any better, any bird
of any age that is easily picked up by humans is already in some kind of serious
trouble. Since they're very stoic, they can appear bright eyed and "healthy" for
several days, even after knocking themselves out on a window pane or escaping
from the jaws of a predator. Then suddenly, boom, gone. If a knowledgeable
person were on hand to do an immediate necropsy it might reveal the underlying
pathology (in fact, it might amaze you that the bird lived as long as it did),
but usually it remains a mystery.

Although baby grebes are probably fed fish by their parents, earthworms sounds
like a pretty fair substitute. It might have needed more calcium, but from the
suddenness of its demise, it doesn't sound like that was the problem. Check to
see if there is a local wildlife rehab organization that you can contact if you
find another orphan. Technically, only licensed people are supposed to care for
wild birds.

It's great that you cared. Bet you'll always look at Pied-billed Grebes a little
differently now.

Chris Maack
Bird Treatment & Learning Center
Anchorage, AK
73201.3124 at compuserve.com