I observed this Pied-billed Grebe on a small lake in Carrollton’s McInnish Park. The grebe dove and submerged as I approached, giving me the impression that I had startled him. As it turned out, the grebe resurfaced just a few yards(meters) away with a mouthful of crayfish.
The crayfish’s claws were clearly a challenge for the bird. The Pied-billed Grebe shook the crustacean vigorously several times. At one point, the bird engaged its webbed toes to aid in dispatching the hapless crawdad.
Once subdued and probably claw-less, the crawdad was swallowed whole without ceremony.
| County | – | Dallas |
|
| City | – | Carrollton | |
| Date | – | Feb 27, 2012 | |
| Time of Day | – | Morning | |
| Temperature | – | Cool (50-69°F/10-21°C) | |
| Weather | – | Overcast | |
| Habitat | – | Water-Lake | |
| Type of Behavior | – | Feeding | |
| Gender | – | Uncertain | |
| Maturity | – | Adult | |
| Observer | – | Chris Jackson |
