the western grebe (aechmophorus occidentalis) is a species in the grebe family of water birds .
folk names include "dabchick", "swan grebe" and "swan-necked grebe" .
western grebe fossils from the late pleistocene of sw north america were described as a distinct species , but later ranked as a paleosubspecies aechmophorus occidentalis lucasi .
more recent study found them to fall within the variation now known to exist in today's birds .
the western grebe is the largest north american grebe .
it is 5575 cm (2230 in) long , weighs 7952,000 g (1.7534.409 lb) and measures 79102 cm (3140 in) across the wings .
it is black-and-white , with a long , slender , swan-like neck and red eyes .
it is easily confused with clark's grebe , which shares similar features , body size , behavior and habitat , and hybrids are known .
the western grebe has black around the eyes and a straight greenish-yellow bill whereas the clark's grebe has white around the eyes and an up-turned bright yellow bill .
the downy young of western are grey; clark's downy young are white .
western grebes nest in colonies of hundreds on large inland lakes , sometimes using coastal marshes , in western north america .
it has a spectacular courtship display; two birds will rear up and patter across the water's surface .
northern birds migrate west to coastal ocean in winter; birds in the southwest and mexico may be permanent residents .
this bird dives for carp , herring , mollusks , crabs , and salamanders .
