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Aechmophorus occidentalis

 THE RACE ROCKS TAXONOMY
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dorsal ventral
This Western Grebe was found floating at the docks at Race Rocks, Feb 2006 Cause of death unknown. This is a good example of energy input for the Race Rocks energy flow diagram.
feet of Western Grebe head
The paddle-shaped feet provide great propullsion for underwater swimming while in pursuit of small fish. The sharply pointed bill makes is a good adaptation to its ecological niche food requirements. It can spear food underwater.
Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Sub-Phylum Vertebrata
Class Aves
Order Podicipediformes
Family Podicipedidae
Genus Aechmophorus
Species occidentalis
Common Name: Western Grebe
Western grebes overwinter here on Southern Vancouver Island in the protected coastal bays. Three pairs were seen in Pedder bay throughout January and February of 2006. They feed on fish at night following trails of bioluminescence as the fish swim through the water.

It may surprize some to know that this is one of the few prairie pond birds which do not migrate South during the winter, but instead migrate West over the Rocks mountains to the Coastal Bays of Vancouver Island.

The Western Grebe is classified by the Alberta Government as a Species at Risk. This Field Summary gives further information on it.
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The Race Rocks Taxonomy
This file is provided as part of a collaborative effort by the students and faculty of Lester B. Pearson College Date:
Feb. 2006 		Garry Fletcher
Copyright
Lester B. Pearson College