Zambullidor Piquigrueso
Pied-billed Grebe
Podilymbus podiceps
Song
Pied-billed Grebe
Appearance: is a small waterbird with a distinctive appearance. It has a stubby, rounded body, a short tail, and a thick bill that is pale with a dark band resembling a black ring (pied-billed). Its plumage is primarily brown with a mottled pattern, and its eyes are red.
Habitat: the Pied-billed Grebe can be found in freshwater habitats such as lakes, ponds, marshes, and rivers up to 3100 m. They prefer areas with dense emergent vegetation like reeds and cattails for cover and nesting.
Behavior: Pied-billed Grebes are excellent divers and swimmers. primarily feed on small fish, insects, and aquatic invertebrates. Conspicuous; typically alone or in pairs. They build floating nests among aquatic vegetation and are known for their ability to sink lower in the water to hide when threatened.
Breeding: Breeding season for Pied-billed Grebes typically occurs in the spring and summer. They construct floating platform nests made of vegetation in shallow water. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs and caring for the young.
Conservation Status: In Colombia, the Pied-billed Grebe is not considered an endangered species.
Distribution
Andean Region: Pied-Billed Grebes can be found in the Andean region of Colombia, including areas in the departments of Antioquia, Caldas, Risaralda, Quindio, Tolima, Huila, and Cundinamarca. They may inhabit high-altitude lakes and wetlands within the Andean mountain range.
Orinoco Region: In the Orinoco region, which includes departments such as Arauca, Casanare, and Vichada, Pied-Billed Grebes may occur in freshwater habitats along the Orinoco River basin and its tributaries.
Amazon Region: Within the Colombian Amazon region, encompassing departments like Amazonas, Caqueta, and Putumayo, Pied-Billed Grebes can be found in oxbow lakes, flooded forests, and other wetland environments.
Caribbean Region: Along the Caribbean coast, including departments such as Atlantico, Bolivar, and Magdalena, Pied-Billed Grebes may inhabit coastal lagoons, estuaries, and freshwater marshes.
Pacific Region: In the Pacific region, which includes departments like Choco and Valle del Cauca, Pied-Billed Grebes may occur in mangrove swamps, coastal lagoons, and estuaries.
Taxonomy
The Pied-billed Grebe(Podilymbus podiceps)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Podicipediformes
- Family: Podicipedidae
- Genus: Podilymbus
- Species: Podilymbus podiceps
Vocalization
Cackling Calls: Pied-Billed Grebes often emit high-pitched, cackling calls that sound like a series of rapid chuckles. These calls are commonly heard during territorial disputes or interactions with other grebes.
Whinnying Calls: This call resembles a horse's whinny and is used during courtship displays or to communicate with a mate. It consists of a series of high-pitched, descending whinnies.
Chirping Calls: Pied-Billed Grebes may produce chirping sounds, especially during interactions with their young or while foraging in groups. These calls are softer and more melodic compared to their cackling calls.
Squawking Calls: When disturbed or alarmed, Pied-Billed Grebes may emit harsh, squawking calls that serve as an alarm signal to other individuals in the vicinity.
Bill Clattering: In addition to vocalizations, Pied-Billed Grebes are known for bill-clattering displays where they rapidly snap their bills together, creating a distinctive clattering sound. This behavior is often associated with courtship or aggression.
