Pied-billed Grebe Investigating A Potential Feather For Swallowing

I’ve posted previously about grebes swallowing feathers as a digestive aid.  Yesterday I photographed a Pied-billed Grebe with that very intention.

1/2500, f/5.6, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark ll, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in 

Here it looks like the grebe might be pulling a small fish up by the tail but in reality it’s a small feather.   The grebe nibbled at the feather for a few moments, obviously evaluating it for consumption.  Most of the feathers they swallow are small down feathers pulled out of their own flanks during preening.   Larger feathers with a stiff quill are rejected.

1/2000, f/5.6, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark ll, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in 

 And this feather, though it was fairly small, had a quill.  The grebe held the feather by the tip of its bill…

1/2500, f/5.6, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark ll, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in 

and gave it a violent shake which sent water droplets flying.  I never did see the bird swallow the feather (as I have many times before) and I’m pretty sure that it was rejected because of its size and attached quill.

In the past I’ve published three posts about grebes (several species) eating feathers.  If you have the interest, here’s a link to one of the older posts that many current readers of my blog may not have seen.  It’s an interesting example of adaptation and survival.

Ron