MOLTING HORNED GREBE, POINT PELEE NATIONAL PARK, LEAMINGTON, ON

   During molting from winter white-throated nonbreeding plumage to summer dark-throated breeding plumage of the Horned Grebe it can look very similar to the winter Eared Grebe.  This occurs around this time of year in March and April.  We can ID this grebe as a Horned Grebe by the white tip on its bill; the Eared Grebe does not have the white tip.

   You can see the following taking place in the molting process:

• A patch of red has extended from the red eye to the bill.
• The cheek has turned from white to dark; eventually it will turn black
• The area behind the eye to the back of the head has turned from white to rufous; eventually it will turn yellowish orange.
• The neck is starting to turn rufous.