Sunday, May 06, 2012

Pied-billed Grebe with Crayfish


Pied-billed grebe are the most common nesting grebe is the eastern US.  Their range extends from our southern border well into Canada. The pied-billed grebe's diet consist mainly of fish, aquatic insects and crustaceans. 


I photographed this bird at Florida's Viera Wetlands as it attempted to eat a large crayfish


Grasping the crayfish with its stout bill, it repeatedly shook it violently to break its body into manageable pieces.


The grebe's catch attracted the attention of other a group of coots who pursued the grebe attempting to steal the crayfish.  The little grebe responded to their attempts by swimming rapidly away to a more secluded area.


6 comments:

Ruth Hiebert said...

Looks like more than he can handle. Good pictures of the action.

Lois Evensen said...

Wow, that's a pretty juicy, big meal there. Yum! :) Great images as always.

Kjell T. Evensen said...

Great images. We enjoy the wonderful photo ops at Viera Wetlands, too.

KB said...

Great capture. My CC is up too.

Montanagirl said...

Terrific sequence of events, and you captured it nicely!

Elaine said...

Fun action shots! Love that last one--"I will not share, I will not share...."