"I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember Thy wonders of old.... Thou art the God that doest wonders." Psa. 77:11,14.
This very interesting bird, about the size of a duck, is found in the warmer northern climates of many countries. Large numbers of grebes in many varieties live in the northwestern United States, Canada; Alaska and Iceland. Most of the species fly quite well, and some of them migrate to the Pacific and Atlantic coasts for the winter months and then return north in the spring. However, three species do not fly at all and the others fly only when necessary, preferring to remain near their nests in the marshy areas of ponds and lakes.
Although provided with strong legs, they do not walk well. They look like they are sliding along on their stomachs! In water, however, they are extremely graceful and wonderful swimmers. Although they are a rather large bird they can dive from the surface of the water without leaving even a ripple to show where they were or any indication as to where they will come up. They are excellent swimmers, both on the surface and underwater, and are much more at home there than on land.
The nest, which floats on the water, is built with weeds, sticks, reeds, etc., by the male and female together. It is tied to something solid or anchored underwater to keep it from drifting away. Isn't it remarkable how the Creator taught them to do this?
Much time is spent "oiling" their feathers much like ducks do. This "water-proofing treatment" is done by rubbing their beaks against special glands on their bodies, then working the waxy deposit into all parts of the dense feathers.
Although they do not have webbed feet, the Creator has given them special fleshy edges on their long toes to aid in swimming. Their legs are not round like most birds, but pointed in front and back—a real help in moving swiftly through water and a help in catching fish which they spear with their long, sharp, pointed beaks.
An unusual thing about all grebes is that they eat great quantities of feathers, even feeding them to their little ones. No one is quite sure why they do this, but some think the feathers may act as strainers or cushions to keep fish bones and other sharp objects from piercing the inside of their bodies. Whatever the reason may be, it is part of God's wonderful order.
There are about twenty species of grebes throughout the world, many of them strikingly pretty, such as the red-necked. It is brilliant red all along its long neck from its chest up to a soft-white head and a contrasting black cap. Descriptions of other species follows.
The Beautiful Grebes
"Thou, even Thou, art Lord alone; Thou hast made... the earth, and all things that are therein... and Thou preservest them all." Neh. 9:66Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee. (Nehemiah 9:6).
Among the various species of grebes, one called the hooded, a native of the Andes mountains in Argentina, is one of the prettiest. From the top of its beak, pure-white feathers slope upward as far as the forehead where a red crest rises up beyond the top of its head like a hood, giving it its name. The rest of its head, back, sides and throat are deep-velvety black atop a long snowy-white neck. Its body is coal black on top and white speckled with gray underneath. Brilliant scarlet eyes add to a most beautiful picture of the Creator's handiwork.
Another interesting species is known as the black necked, or eared, probably because of the group of yellow feathers pointing from its eyes to the back of its neck. Otherwise it is plain colored, grayish black above and orange and white below. One called the pied-billed grebe covers its half-dozen eggs with mud in the daytime throughout incubation. When little ones hatch they quickly take to the water, clinging tightly to the i mother's feathers and back. They don't seem a bit afraid when she dives and swims, going right along with her. Traveling this way, the mother snatches food wherever possible, and then by twisting her long neck backward she feeds all those on board.
The western grebe is the one most familiar to Americans. It has a long body and thin neck with brown or black feathers on top of its head and neck, but white below and having a long yellow pointed bill, making it quite pretty. The western is noted for carving on an unusual "water dance" when mates are being chosen. Both the male and female, while floating on the water, will suddenly rise up side by side and run swiftly on the surface of the water for quite a distance. They also both go through elaborate head-shaking exercises to impress one another.
After the western's nests are built, from two to six eggs are laid, and about a month's incubation is shared by both parents until the chicks are born. Even then both the mother and father continue to share in raising them for about three months, carrying them on their backs when out on the water.
The ways of these birds show again the care of God in giving them remarkable instincts. But He gave more than this to mankind. In the Bible the question is asked, "Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?"Job 38:3636Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart? (Job 38:36). The answer is that the Lord God, the Creator, has done this, and the Bible also tells us that "The fear of [reverence for and faith in] the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Prov. 9:1010The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10). Do you have that wisdom and understanding?