Up close, the Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis has yellowish feathers above and behind the eye {2510) which can extend outward and look like ears – thus the name Eared Grebe. These are present in the April to September breeding period and are not present during the first fall in juveniles, and during the non-breeding season October-March in adults.
The photos of the non-breeding Eared Grebes were taken in mid-March at the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve, Henderson, NV and in November at the Huntington Beach Back Bay, CA. The photos of the breeding Eared Grebes were taken at the Salton Sea, Hayes Road, in mid-May.