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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.kootenay-lake.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/hornedgrebe240629accfs.jpg\")
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Kootenay Lake has Horned Grebes, but the area is just south of the breeding region, so the bird almost always appears in its non-breeding plumage. It is correspondingly rare to see one in its breeding plumage and yesterday was the first time I have seen one on the West Arm of the lake.<\/p>\n
The Horned Grebe in its breeding plumage is a striking bird. During breeding, light horn-like tufts appear on each side of the head, hence the name. Photo by Cynthia Fraser.
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But as this older picture demonstrates, the Horned Grebe in its non-breeding plumage is barely recognizable as the same bird. Maybe the red eye gives it away.
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.kootenay-lake.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/hornedgrebe150929s.jpg\")
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It is unclear whether this Horned Grebe will breed here, or head somewhat north to do so.
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.kootenay-lake.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/hornedgrebe240629as2.jpg\")
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Kootenay Lake has Horned Grebes, but the area is just south of the breeding region, so the bird almost always appears in its non-breeding plumage. It is correspondingly rare to see one in its breeding plumage and yesterday was … Continue reading