Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena), Lake Pleasant, Maricopa and Yavapai Counties

These two different Red-necked Grebes were photographed by Mary McSparen on 11 January 2021.

Casual (though increasing) migrant and winter visitor. One was found in the Yavapai County area of LP on the LP Christmas Bird count on December 16, 2020 by Marceline VandeWater-Bruno. This one may be the same individual, it was found in the mouth of the Agua Fria arm of the lake, in both Maricopa and Yavapai Counties along with another one that was located on this same day, in the Castle Creek area of the lake by myself, Ronnie Reed and Jeff Ritz. Photos of both show that there are 2 separate individuals. A medium sized grebe, smaller than a Western and larger than a Horned, with large mostly yellow bill, and a blocky triangular-shaped head. The cheeks are white and the black cap extends just below the eyes. The neck is whitish anteriorly and dark brown posteriorly.

11 January 2021, photo by Mary McSparen