The Least Grebe /zambullidor menor (Tachybaptus dominicus)
Voice: Loud, nasal, high-pitched “beeek” or high-pitched, buzzy, chattering “vvvvvvvvvvvvvvv”
Habitat: Sheltered freshwater ponds bordered with vegetation.
Best Spots: The resaca at Sabal Palm Grove, Willow and Pintail Lakes at Santa Ana NWR, McAllen Sewage Ponds, World Birding Center Edinburg Scenic Wetlands, and the “dike” pond at WBC Bentsen SP, common and highly visible year round feeding in the resaca at Resaca de la Palma Stat Park
Similar Species: Pied-billed Grebe. Least Grebe can be distinguished from Pied-billed Grebe by its thinner bill, golden eye, and contrasting (and sharply demarked) dark crown. These buoyant birds often show tufts of white feathers in the rear of the bird.
A speaker symbol next to the bird indicates that it has a sound file available.All Bird call recordings © John C. Arvin.
Call (956) 584-2731 to hear or submit an alert.
- Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley (Mission)
- Edinburg Scenic Wetlands
- Estero Llano Grande (Weslaco)
- Harlingen Arroyo Colorado
- Old Hidalgo Pumphouse
- Quinta Mazatlan (McAllen)
- Resaca de la Palma (Brownsville)
- Roma Bluffs
- South Padre Island Birding
and Nature Center
Welcome to a birder’s eye view of the seasons in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Enjoy our annual cycle! The resulting avifauna in deep South Texas is the most diverse north of the Mexican border. The four county area that makes up the lower Rio Grande Valley has recorded over 500 species of birds. This is more species of birds than have been recorded in all but two or three entire states. Small wonder that birders from across the continent make pilgrimages to the region. Happy Birding!
A "Bird Checklist" is a complete list of birds that have been seen or heard in a specific region like Texas or the Rio Grande Valley. Checklists can be used as a personal diary of your travels.
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