Some people who know very little about grebes think that they are merely odd ducks, which they are not. They behave in a very strange manner. The strange behaviors are the ones that make them very fascinating. These birds are unique in very many ways. Their sunbathing techniques are very intriguing. They know how to propel themselves while under the water.

Social behaviors of grebes

Courtships behaviors among grebes Podicipedidae is like those of any other bird. Perhaps it is their floating nests that make scientists conclude that these are special birds. These birds depend on shallow wetlands for survival. Human use of these habitats is threatening their survival. This is why some species have become extinct while others are faced with a real danger of extinction.

These little birds are simply great. Their loud cackling calls are simple amazing. They normally produce these vocalizations while hiding under papyrus reeds. While in the water, they slowly sink beneath the water surface exactly the way a submarine does while escaping the depth of a periscope.

Adaptation and evolution

Grebes are a member of a very ancient bird family that has its root to 80 million years back. There are very voluminous researches that have been done on the fossils of these birds. The fossils show no close relationship with any other type of birds. These birds are completely adapted to diving. They have the ability to spend all their time in the water.

Geographical range and habitat

Grebes are mostly found on the northern hemisphere. They become highly feathered during summer. In winter, they change color and now appear as white and dark birds. These birds are very sedentary. Their plumages are identical in all birds all year round. The same case has been noted even in North American species, which has not been very extensively covered by scientific studies.

Five genera make up the birds of the grebes category. However, in all these five genera, variation centers on the same theme. It is therefore to identify a grebe whenever you come across one.

The grebe range is very widespread across different regions in the world. However, the main different is on the Hooded Grebe of Southern Argentina. This grebe did not exist in scientific descriptions until 1974. The scientific name for this bird is Podiceps gallardoi. Among the 22 species of the Podicipedidae family, two have gone extinct. Majority of scientists tend to leave out the Hooded Grebe from the list of 20. This means that the number of grebes that exist today is 21.

The Alaotra Grebe, which is scientifically known as Tachybaptus rufolavatus, is found in a lake that is in the northern region of Madagascar. Today, this bird has almost become extinct.

The species of grebes found in Northern America belongs to the genus Aechmophorus. This bird is very interesting to study and research on. This bird is considered by many as the Western Grebe. In some researches, some scientists have noted that certain species of grebes tend to mate and behave as members of different species.