GREBE
			Phylum: Class: Order: Family: Chordata Aves Podicipediformes Podicipedidae

Much like divers, grebes are elegant water birds, but are smaller in size, and have lobed toes. In the spring and summer months, most species can be distinguished by their colorful nuptial plumes.

They live on lakes and reservoirs, and rarely, on slow-moving rivers. Some stay in one place, but others, such as the great crested grebe, migrate to the coast in the winter. However, generally, grebes do not fly much. They have to run across the water to take off, and are famed for their beautiful courtship dances.

Of the eighteen species, the 19 inch (48 cm) long great crested grebe is the largest. It is found in most of Europe and many parts of Africa, Asia and Australia. The upperparts are white. The black ear tufts and, in the breeding season, the chestnut and black frills on the head, are distinctive.

Ten species are confined to the Americas. The flightless giant pied-billed grebe is confined to the Lake Atitlan, in Guatemala. The best known species in the U.S. is the pied-billed grebe.