Western Grebe

Aechmophorus occidentalis (Lawrence, 1858)

Podicipedidae — Grebes

Western Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis, breeds across western North America, from western Canada through the north-central and south-western United States to central Mexico. It is a grebe of lakes and marshy waters, and it nests in colonies on large inland lakes, sometimes in coastal marshes. The bird is the largest grebe in North America and has a long, slender neck, red eyes, a straight greenish-yellow bill and black around the eyes. It is often confused with Clark’s Grebe, which is similar in form and shares its range in part.

Order
Podicipediformes
Family
Podicipedidae — Grebes
Breeding range
North America, Middle America: wc Canada to nc, sw USA and c Mexico
Western Grebe
© ALAN SCHMIERER · Wikimedia Commons · CC0

Tours where you can spot this bird

12 tours in Canada 11, United States 1

Lake Hodges Bird and Wildlife Photography Tour
Lake Hodges Bird and Wildlife Photography Tour
United States / Escondido

A customized Lake Hodges photography session by low-to-water boat or from shore, guided by local bird photographer Brian Caldwell....

Canada – Saskatchewan Autumn Birding Grand Tour: September 9 – 18, 2026
Canada – Saskatchewan Autumn Birding Grand Tour: September 9 – 18, 2026
Canada / Saskatoon Private tour 10 days

A ten-day Saskatchewan migration tour combining Saskatoon-area wetlands and parks with Prince Albert National Park and Last Mountain Lake....

From CAD 3,650 Next: Sep 9, 2026
Canada – Saskatchewan Late-Summer Birding Grand Tour: August 24 – 29, 2026
Canada – Saskatchewan Late-Summer Birding Grand Tour: August 24 – 29, 2026
Canada / Saskatoon Private tour 6 days

A six-day late-summer Saskatchewan birding circuit timed for early migration, with wetlands, prairie and Saskatoon-area parks on the route....

From CAD 1,850 Next: Aug 24, 2026
Canada – Saskatchewan Birding Grand Tour: June 12-29, 2027
Canada – Saskatchewan Birding Grand Tour: June 12-29, 2027
Canada / Saskatoon Private tour 18 days

An 18-day self-drive grand tour across southern Saskatchewan, linking boreal forest, major lakes, prairie parks and river valleys during the...

From CAD 15,900
Canada – Saskatchewan Spring Birding Grand Tour: May 11–17, 2027
Canada – Saskatchewan Spring Birding Grand Tour: May 11–17, 2027
Canada / Saskatoon Private tour 7 days

A seven-day self-drive spring journey from Saskatoon through Saskatchewan wetlands, prairie and grassland parks during the migration and bre...

From CAD 5,850
Great Sand Hills Birdwatching Tour from Saskatoon, Kindersley or Leader – 3 new options
Great Sand Hills Birdwatching Tour from Saskatoon, Kindersley or Leader – 3 new options
Canada / Saskatoon Private tour 2 days

A private two- or three-day self-drive birding tour through the Great Sand Hills, South Saskatchewan River valley and, on the longer option,...

From CAD 1,290
Eastern Saskatchewan Birding Tour June 3 – 11, 2027 – from Saskatoon, Canada
Eastern Saskatchewan Birding Tour June 3 – 11, 2027 – from Saskatoon, Canada
Canada / Saskatoon Private tour 9 days

Tours Niche: Birdwatching Tours and Bird Photography Tours Tours Region: Saskatchewan, Canada Tours Duration: Half-Day, Full-Day, and Multi-...

From CAD 50
Duck Mountain Park Tour from Saskatoon or Regina or Yorkton: 3 exciting days birding Saskatchewan’s eastern forests
Duck Mountain Park Tour from Saskatoon or Regina or Yorkton: 3 exciting days birding Saskatchewan’s eastern forests
Canada / Saskatoon Private tour 3 days

A private three-day self-drive tour from Saskatoon to Duck Mountain Provincial Park, combining eastern forest, lake and wetland birding with...

From CAD 2,590
Canada – Saskatchewan Mid-Summer Birding Grand Tour: August 3–10, 2027
Canada – Saskatchewan Mid-Summer Birding Grand Tour: August 3–10, 2027
Canada / Saskatoon Private tour 8 days

An eight-day self-drive tour linking Saskatchewan wetlands, prairie, river valleys and the Great Sand Hills as young birds and early migrant...

From CAD 4,750
Canada – Saskatchewan Birding Grand Tour: June 12 – 26, 2026
Canada – Saskatchewan Birding Grand Tour: June 12 – 26, 2026
Canada / Saskatoon Private tour 15 days

Tours Niche: Birdwatching Tours and Bird Photography Tours Tours Region: Saskatchewan, Canada Tours Duration: Half-Day, Full-Day, and Multi-...

From CAD 50
Canada – Southwest Saskatchewan Birding Tour: July 9–16, 2027
Canada – Southwest Saskatchewan Birding Tour: July 9–16, 2027
Canada / Saskatoon Private tour 8 days

An eight-day self-drive route through southwest Saskatchewan, combining major shorebird lakes, Cypress Hills, open prairie and Grasslands Na...

From CAD 5,580
Buffalo Pound Park 2026 – Great Birding Day Tour from Moose Jaw, Regina, Swift Current or Saskatoon
Buffalo Pound Park 2026 – Great Birding Day Tour from Moose Jaw, Regina, Swift Current or Saskatoon
Canada / Saskatoon Private tour 1 day

A private full-day self-drive tour through Buffalo Pound Provincial Park, combining lake, marsh, woodland and prairie birding....

From CAD 690