WESTERN GREBE





Aechmophorus occidentalis			THE RACE ROCKS TAXONOMY

Domain	Eukarya
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Sub-Phylum	Vertebrata
Class	Aves
Order	Podicipediformes
Family	Podicipedidae
Genus	Aechmophorus
Species	occidentalis
Common Name:	Western Grebe


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.

The paddle-shaped feet provide great propullsion for underwater swimming while in pursuit of small fish.	The sharply pointed bill makes a good adaptation to its ecological niche food requirements. It can spear food underwater.

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. ( see reference below)

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.

night foraging

Research on Foraging indicating a night-feeding pattern is presented in this research by Showalter, http://webs.ii.ca/clowater/WEGR%20THESIS.pdf

Back to
The Race Rocks Taxonomy

This file is provided as part of a collaborative effort by the students, faculty, and volunteers of Lester B. Pearson College

Date:
Feb. 2006

Garry Fletcher

Sitemap

Location and Maps

Educational Resources Index

Contact

webmaster:
Garry Fletcher

Aechmophorus occidentalis