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~ Red Necked Grebes of ALASKA ~
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Red Necked Grebe Migration |
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The Red Necked Grebe is a migritory bird.
In the Spring, they fly north to Alaska to their breeding grounds (shown in red on the migration map).
In late Summer or early Fall, they fly back south towards the coastal regions where they spend the Winter (blue).
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Red Necked Grebes can often be spotted in the marshes of south central Alaska.
A Red Necked Grebe is seen feeding its chick
with small insects and crustaceans (left).
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Red Necked Grebes Nesting |
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Taking advantage of the warm weather, Grebes start making their nest during the month of May and promptly lay 3 to 4 eggs.
After all, they only have a few months to raise their chicks before they have to leave their breeding grounds and migrate back south.
Nests are usually built on small islands of vegetation in the marshes, providing a dry home and some semblance of privacy for
the chicks to grow during the next few weeks.
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A Red Necked Grebe diligently attends to her eggs before sunset (below).
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When they don't feed or attend to their chicks, Grebes groom their feathers. Once in a while, they flap and stretch their wings.
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Grebes During the Breeding Season |
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This particular species of Grebes is the Red Necked Grebe,
with its distinctive red plumage visible during the breeding season. In the Winter time, their plumage becomes grey.
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