Pied-billed Grebe
From Natural History of Southeast Alaska
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) Rare to Very Rare Fall through Spring, Accidental in Summer. Swan Lake is the best location to see them along the road system.
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rare | Accidental | Rare | Very Rare |
Best observed at: Swan Lake
Preferred Habitats: Lake, Protected Nearshore
Observed at: Swan Lake
Breeding Status: Not expected to breed
Family: Podicipedidae
Documented in the Sitka area
J Dan Webster
Rare summer visitor and wintering bird; scarce migrant, mostly in March, October and November. No breeding record.
Infrequently seen along the road system, when a Pied-billed Grebe does occur, it seems to stay for several weeks. These birds effectively blend in to their preferred surroundings in their winter plumage, and can be difficult to spot. Given a preference for freshwater habitat, it does not seem unlikely that these birds show up in the Sitka area most years, though perhaps not on Swan Lake, where they are most likely to be observed and reported.
