ML497410761

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Found by Carl Shavers earlier. Seen and photographed by several other birders. Much debate about whether this bird is a Horned Grebe or Eared Grebe. After a careful review of many opinions I believe this is an Eared Grebe. The lighting conditions make some of the classic field ID marks difficult as the bird's feathers were wet and reflective. Likely a non-breeding basic plumaged bird its physical structure convinces me of the ID. Its bill is very thin compared to a HOGR and lacks a clear white tip. It shows the correct peaked crown above the eye. Its neck is longer and thiner than an HOGR. The last image in less direct light shows an overall dusky neck as well as some darkness in the cheek below an imaginary line through the eye. These are all consistent with Eared.

Technical information

Model

Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Lens

EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM

ISO

500

Focal length

312 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/7.1

Shutter speed

1/1600 sec

Dimensions

3051 pixels x 2034 pixels

Original file size

1.05 MB