Eared Grebe or immature Horned Grebe?

[Janne]

I took this photo off the lagoon at Harrison Hot Springs on January 30, 2010. It could be an Eared Grebe but on the other hand it could be a juvenile Horned Grebe.

They are very hard to photograph as they spent so much time under the water. I tried some close up shots but all are "shaky' without using a tripod. Tough to see the peak to say whether it's over the eye or behind it. The back looks sort of rounded so that's why I suggest it may be the Eared. The dusky neck could be just because it's a young bird. Stokes says 1st Fall plumage is only from August to October for the Horned so it that again would make the neck point to a Eared.
Janne Perrin
Harrison Hot Springs

[Gord]

Sure looks very promising for an Eared Grebe to me. Good find!

[murraybrown]

Janne, sorry to be contrary but once again I believe this is a Horned.
Profile is all wrong for an Eared. Also the position and shape of the bill is typical Horned. Although the field guides don't show it adequately, the EAGR bill is longer, thinner, and ever so slightly, upturned.
The differences are quite pronounced if you ever are lucky enough to get them side-by-side.
The White Rock Pier is one place that you get them together in the winter. I just wish I had photographed them when I used to see them there.

Murray

[Janne]

Thanks Murray, Seeing the two together would be helpful. The grebe in photograph then would be a first year Horned Grebe as I first thought but then questioned. The day I observed this bird there was also a mature Horned Greb with the classic black cap and white neck, If you ever see the two -eared and horned- together again grab your camera and shot.
Janne Perrin
Harrison Hot Springs

[murraybrown]

Yes, I definitely will. In fact the next time I hear of one on the pier I will be on the run!