Although seemingly very similar, Grebes and Loons are not in the same family.
Grebes from the family Podicipedidae are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They are excellent swimmers and divers but are quite ungainly on land. Their narrow wings do not make flying easy so grebes respond to danger by diving as opposed to taking to the air. Grebes have unusual plumage which allows them to adjust their buoyancy and you will often see them swimming low in the water with just the head and neck exposed.
Loons are in the Gaviidae family of birds are aquatic birds with a largely gray or black plumage and long, spear-shaped bills. They are larger in size than Grebes and have thicker necks. Loons swim well and can hold their breath for almost 90 seconds under water. They fly well, but, because (like Grebes) their legs are placed towards the rear of the body, are almost helpless on land.
GREBES
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| PIED-BILLED GREBE |
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| HORNED GREBE |
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| EARED GREBE |
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LOONS
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| RED-THROATED LOON |
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| COMMON LOON |
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