birds of north georgia mountains
Band-rumped Storm-Petrel: This is a black-brown storm-petrel with gray-brown wing bars and a conspicuous white band across the rump and large, slightly notched tail. Smooth-billed Ani: Medium-sized, shaggy bird, black overall with bronze overtones, thick bill and long tail, often bobbed, wagged, and held beneath body. It has black legs and feet and a long slender bill. The head is round and lacks tufts, eyes are yellow, and the bill is black. Both are outside of North America. Cere is yellow. Female is duller, lacks long tail, and has gray bill. The wings show rufous primaries in flight. One of the places we were advised to visit in the area was Helen Georgia which is less than 15 miles north of our campground. Swift, powerful undulating flight. Wings and tail are edged with olive-yellow. It is an active predator of seabird nesting colonies. Direct flap-and-glide flight with powerful, deep wingbeats. Safe travels ! Tail is long and black with white corners. It has black-spotted and streaked upperparts, slightly scaled underparts, a white eye ring, black bill and yellow legs. Head is dark with thick, white eyebrows and red eyes. Anna's Hummingbird: Medium hummingbird; male has bronze-green upperparts, dull gray underparts. It has a direct flight with rapid wing beats. Tail is long and white-edged with dark bars. Dark green tail may show some rufous. Legs and feet are pink. Black-headed Gull: Small, white gull with partial hood, white crescents above and below eye, and white-gray back. Rapid direct flight. It has a steady direct flight with rapid wing beats. Ross's Goose: Small, white goose with black primary feathers and stubby gray-based red-orange bill. Fast direct flight with rapid wing beats. Black breast, white belly, rufous sides. The sexes are similar. Alternates steady wing beats, short glides. Thick bill, pale base, two long central feathers twisted vertically on tail. Flies in a V formation. This product and/or its method of use is covered by one or more of the following patent(s): US patent number 7,363,309 and foreign equivalents. Dives to 40 feet, feeds primarily on shellfish. Weak fluttering flight on shallow wing beats. Thayer's Gull: Having had full species status since 1973, as of 2017, the AOU considers this gull to be a subspecies of the Iceland Gull and has lumped it there. Swift direct flight with rapid wing beats. White wing patches visible in flight. Bell's Vireo: Small vireo, faint, broken eye-ring, thick, slightly flattened hooked bill, one or two faint wing bars. Female lacks black head and throat, has brown streaked upperparts and buff streaked underparts. Tail is long, white edges. Short, bounding flights, alternates rapid wing beats with wings pulled to sides. Rufous Hummingbirds (Selasphorus rufus) - The most commonly observed wintering hummingbird in Georgia, other than the Ruby-throated Hummingbird in the southeastern United States. Bewick's Wren: Small wren with unstreaked, gray to red-brown upperparts and plain white underparts. Strong flight, alternates shallow wing beats with brief periods of wings pulled to sides. Pomarine Jaeger: The dar morph of this large jaeger is dark brown except for white patches near underwing tips and sides of under tail. Feeds mostly on insects but also eats seeds. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews. Alternates rapid wing beats with brief periods of wings pulled to sides. Strong direct flight with rapid wing beats. Its wedge shaped tail has a small notch at the tip. It has a blue-gray to yellow bill and yellow legs and feet. Best identified by its relatively slow, languid flight compared to other shearwaters. Little Gull: The smallest of all gulls, with pale gray upperparts and white nape, neck, breast, belly, and tail. The wings and tail are blue. Sexes are similar. Strong steady flight with deep wing beats. Hawks from perch, hovers. The female is more brightly colored than the male. Great Cormorant: Largest North American comorant. Head is bare and olive-green. We did a short side trip on The Gauntlet ride to visit the highest mountain in Georgia. It is 4,748 feet at the peak. The parking lot is 400 feet lower than the tower at the peak. Due to the virus the shuttle to the tower was not running as and much of the tower was closed. The hike up was 6 tenths of a mile and 400 feet up in elevation. Ricky and I opted to skip the climb, but Rhonda made it to the top. She said the hike was hard, but the views were great. Bobs tail and often makes short flights to hawk insects. Golden Eagle: Large raptor with dark brown body and golden-brown feathers on back of head and nape. Strong direct flight on steady wing beats. GCCW, 2002. Expert swimmer, dives for fish, crustaceans. The Leach's Storm-Petrel now has two subspecies, the Townsend's Storm-Petrel and Ainley's Storm-Petrel. Hooked bill is dark, legs are pink. At over 1 billion years of age, the Blue Ridge mountains are among the oldest mountains in the United States and sometimes mistaken to be the oldest mountains in the world. Tail is dark gray with white corners. Glides between perches. Be sure you are up to date on everything there is to know about the North Georgia fly fishing season! Bridled Tern: Medium pelagic tern. It feeds mainly on fish and squid. Western Tanager: Medium-sized tanager with brilliant red head, bright yellow body, black back, wings, and tail. Tail is yellow with thick black tip and central line. As of July 2019, there are 425 species definitively included in the official list. Broad-billed Hummingbird: Medium-sized hummingbird with metallic green body and vibrant blue throat. The woodlands and forest are ideal for songbirds whose songs fill the air from the tops ⦠Feeds on fish, mollusks, crustaceans, insects and plants. We are staying at an RV Park just south of Cleveland Georgia which calls itself the “Gateway to the Mountains”. Black cap that extends below eyes, down nape; pale gray upperparts that are darker at the wingtips; short, stout black bill and black legs, feet; long wings with very long outer primaries. Red cap and black chin. May hover briefly above prey. The eyes are yellow and the bill is blue-gray with a black tip. Feeds on freshwater snails, mussels, frogs, crustaceans and insects. They are widespread and common in the United States, including Georgia. It has a black bill with a yellow spot at the base and black legs and feet. If that describes you, contact us at buster@georgiamountainfalconry.com or give us a call at 404.538.4355. Clay-colored Sparrow: Medium sparrow with black-streaked brown upperparts and buff underparts. The sexes are similar, but the males are usually larger than females, with a larger bill, head and tarsi. The face is pale with finely streaked crown, crisp brown cheek patch, white eyestripe, and gray nape. Snowy Owl: Large, white owl with variable black bars and spots. Juvenile like winter adult but more black on wing and tail with black tip. Hood is black and extends onto upper neck. It feeds mostly on terrestrial and aquatic insects. It alternates strong rapid wing beats with glides. Swift direct flight with rapid wing beats. Legs and feet are red-orange. Legs and feet are gray. The juvenile is browner overall with bright yellow eyes. The Georgia Mountains Region or North Georgia mountains or Northeast Georgia is an area that starts in the northeast corner of Georgia, United States, and spreads in a westerly direction. Black-bellied Whistling-Duck: Large, colorful duck with bright red bill, pink-red legs and feet. Many others, both professionals and skilled amateurs, including J. Fred Denton (north Georgia birds), Earle Greene Jr. (Okefenokee Swamp birds), William Griffin (Atlanta birds), Frederick Hebard (Okefenokee Swamp birds), Milton Hopkins (southwest Georgia birds), David Johnston (breeding birds and habit changes), Brooke Meanley (Swainson's warblers near Macon), Robert Norris (southwest Georgia birds), Eugene Odum (ecology of birds⦠Wilson's Phalarope: This medium-sized sandpiper has gray-brown upperparts, red-brown streaks on back and shoulders, red-brown markings on white underparts, gray crown, white face, black eye-line, a black needle-like bill, gray wings and a white tail and rump. When wet holds wings in spread eagle position to dry. Itâs located in the Chattahoochee National Forest and North Georgiaâs Blue Ridge Mountains, giving you easy access to hiking trails and picnic areas. Direct flight with graceful, shallow wing beats. Black head is darker than back. Barns. Strong direct flight with deep wing beats. Whatbird parametric search. The head has black mask and a long pointed yellow bill. It is the state bird of Colorado. Sexes are similar. Slightly forked tail is dark chestnut-brown with cinnamon-brown undertail coverts. The sexes are similar. High arcing flight. Whatbird.com logo design courtesy of The Haller Company. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Cackling Goose: This small to medium-sized goose has a mottled gray-brown body, black legs, tail, neck, head and face, with a white chin strap stretching from ear to ear and a white rump band. Swift direct flight, hovers when feeding. Sips nectar. It hovers before dipping for prey. Bill, legs and feet are black. Copyright © 2021 RV Sun Birds. Bill is gray. It feeds on worms, mice, other birds and their eggs, and garbage. Flies in straight line or V formation. It feeds mostly on insects. The wings are dark with a pale gray-brown bar on the upper wings. Wings are black with large white patches visible in flight. Varied Thrush: Large thrush, dark gray upperparts, rust-brown throat, breast, sides, eyebrows, black breast band, and white belly and undertail. Long-tailed Jaeger: Smallest but most buoyant and graceful jaeger or skua, with gray upperparts, white breast and gray belly. Female similar but lacks bright gorget. Theyâre known for venturing ⦠Among the species of the Check list of the birds of Georgia State you can find waterfowl and wading birds, a large suite of songbirds, raptors, game birds, swifts and nighthawks, etc., many of which occupy several ecosystems simultaneously, as they fly to and from forests, meadows, shorelines of waters, cities and and urban green spaces. Hovers in display flight and when foraging. Black with bright yellow throat pouch bordered with white feathers. Direct and hovering flight with very rapid wing beats. Head has stark black crown, face, and throat. Solitary, or in pairs and family groups. American Tree Sparrow: Medium, gray-brown sparrow, black and rufous-brown streaks on back, wings. From switchbacks and curve after curve on one road to sweeping, easy riding on another. White overall with black primaries and long pointed wings. Throat is gray and breast has blue-gray streaks. Enter your email address below to receive notification on new posts about the places we are visiting. The wings are pale below and dark-edged. Bill, legs, and feet are black. Sprague's Pipit: Medium pipit with streaked, brown upperparts, buff breast with dark streaks, and white throat and belly. Long bill, gray and spatulate. Greater Scaup: This large diving duck has a glossy green-black head, white sides and belly, black tail, neck and breast, barred gray flanks and back. A Birdwatching Guide to Georgia by L Gavashelishvili et al. Razorbill: Large seabird with black head, neck, upperparts, white line from bill to eye, and white underparts. Feeds on nectar, insects, spiders, and sap. Feeds on aquatic insects. Unlock thousands of full-length species accounts and hundreds of bird family overviews when you subscribe to Birds of the World. Direct flight with rapid wing beats. Whitish underparts; underwings have brown trailing edge. Collins Bird Guide by L Svensson et al. Yellow eyes surrounded by orange eye-rings. The best bird guide and bird watching search engine to identify birds in the world. North America's smallest goose. Direct flight, steady, strong wing beats. Southern Arizona residents are very familiar with the “snowbirds” that come into the area every winter to avoid the colder northern climates. Direct flight on rapid wing beats. The wings are dark gray with broad white stripes. Here is another picture of the mountains. Direct flight with quick upstrokes and slow downstrokes. Tundra Swan: This small swan is completely snowy white. Bill is black with yellow tip; legs and feet are black. Flies in V or straight line formation. Strong direct flight with steady wing beats. Upperwings are dark edged. The buildings all show the Bavarian style. This design is mandated through zoning first adopted in 1969, so that the classic south-German style is present on every building, even on the small number of national franchisees present. Direct flight with steady wing beats. Large, wedge-shaped bill is black with a central, thin white band. Brant: This small goose has dark brown upperparts and brown-barred, pale gray underparts. Alternates rapid wing beats with glides; soars on thermals. Jan 29, 2021 - Explore Author Elaine Lyons Bach's board "Georgia birds at our feeder", followed by 318 people on Pinterest. It has a heavy direct flight with strong wing beats. Broad white stripe from eye to sides of breast. Eared Grebe: This small grebe has black upperparts, dark chestnut-brown flanks and white underparts. Rough-legged Hawk: This large hawk has brown upperparts, paler, streaked head, brown-spotted white breast, dark breast band, and fully feathered legs. The head is black, and the short black neck has a partial white ring. We got a chance to meet our next door neighbors in the campground Ricky and Rhonda from Myrtle Beach who came up for a long weekend to ride bikes in the Georgia mountains. They asked if I wanted to go along on a couple of rides. Strong direct flight with shallow wing beats. Tail is long and scissor-like, black above with white outer edges and white below with black inner edges. Legs and feet are brown. Bullock's Oriole: Medium oriole, mostly bright orange with black crown, eye-line, throat stripe, back, and central tail. Baird's Sandpiper: This medium-sized bird has scaled gray-brown upperparts, white underparts and a dark-spotted gray-brown breast. Love the little Bavarian bldgs. Cinnamon Teal: This small duck has scaled dark brown upperparts, cinnamon-brown underparts, head and neck, red eyes, long dark bill and yellow-gray legs. The 2nd ride is called “The Gauntlet”. The description below could easily describe most of the roads in the Georgia Mountains. Spotted Towhee: Large sparrow, white-spotted black back, black rump. Cory's Shearwater: Large gray-brown shearwater, white underparts, pale yellow bill. Purple Sandpiper: Medium sandpiper, upperparts are scaled gray-brown, crown is dark, and white underparts are streaked. The first was called the Helen Loop and was a shorter 77 mile ride. It was nice to follow along and not be watching for the next turn. The diet includes aquatic insects and plants. The throat (gorget) is iridescent copper-red. Tail is paler gray with three or four dark bands. It has long white tail streamers, a white back that is finely barred in black, a black eye stripe curves that upward behind the eye, black primaries, and a red bill. The Georgia Mountains Region or North Georgia mountains or Northeast Georgia is an area that starts in the northeast corner of Georgia, United States, and spreads in a westerly direction. Itâs located an hour from Clarkesville and just 45 minutes north of Atlanta. Eats mostly fresh grasses and grains, often in the company of Snow Geese. Snowy Plover: Small plover, pale brown upperparts, white underparts. for Georgia. It feeds on small mammals and some birds. Unlike the human conveniences of long haul transports and grocery stores, bird populations spread their wings traveling far distances to stay within a seasons food abundance. Dark juvenile is darker overall; has gray throat and lacks white belly. Florida Scrub-Jay: Medium, crestless jay with gray upperparts and underparts, blue head, and pale eyebrows. Very active bird, nervous and restless while foraging. Bill is pink. Long pointed wings and deeply forked tail. Black legs and feet. Hudsonian Godwit: Large sandpiper with white-scaled, brown-black upperparts, black-barred chestnut-brown underparts. The front of the face has a white patch and the bill is usually pink-orange. Eurasian Wigeon: This large dabbling duck has a gray back, finely speckled gray flanks, a dark rufous-brown head, buff crown and forehead, pink-brown breast, a white belly and gray legs and feet. It has alternating strong rapid wing beats and glides. Strong direct flight on rapid wing beats. It has a rapid direct flight with strong, quick wing beats. Churches. The North Georgia mountains offer plenty of camping, glamping and luxurious RV spots, as well. A land of contrasts, it varies from the cold high mountains of the Greater Caucasus to dry, hot, rocky steppes, where the flora and fauna are more like those of Anatolia and the Middle East. Sexes similar. Shows white wing patch, black belly, reddish-brown breast, neck and back. Wings have conspicuous white patches. Bill is dull yellow to gray-green (eastern) or orange-yellow (western). Long-tailed Duck: This small duck has black upperparts, head, neck, breast and wings; brown mottled black back, white flanks, belly, under tail coverts. Back of neck is black. It feeds on parrot fish, flatfish, mullets and other fish. Rivoli's Hummingbird is a new name for the Magnificent Hummingbird. The crown, face and neck are buff with fine brown streaks. Recommended Bird Books etc. It feeds on marine invertebrates, plankton and fish. Legs and feet are black.Feeds on nectar and insects. Weak fluttering flight with shallow wing beats. It was a very nice couple of days of riding and we have a few more days to check out this area. The wings have white shoulder patches and a green speculum visible in flight. It feeds on green plants including eel grass and sea lettuce. Sensitive nerve endings snap bill shut when prey is found. Northern Goshawk: The adults are slate blue-gray to nearly black upperparts with very finely barred and streaked pale gray underparts. Buoyant, graceful pigeon-like flight with fluttering wing strokes alternating with soaring glides. The bill is dark. Forages on ground and in trees and bushes. Townsend's Warbler: Olive-green upperparts, black throat and upper breast. The bill is yellow with a red spot on the lower mandible. The common gallinule is a small ducklike bird, about 14 inches long, found in many marshes and swamp habitats throughout the southern half of Georgia. It feeds on invertebrates, small vertebrates and sometimes carrion from the water's surface. Sexes are similar, but the female is larger. Feeds mostly on insects but also eats seeds. We ate lunch at this restaurant that had this mural painted near the entrance. Feeds while wading in shallow water, sweeping its bill back and forth. Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. Eats insects, caterpillars, seeds, fruits and berries. Gull-billed Tern: Lightest North American tern. Throat is iridescent violet; bill is long and slightly decurved. Mitch Waite Group. Red Phalarope: This medium-sized sandpiper has dark gray upperparts and rufous neck and underparts. Birds of the North Georgia Mountains lj 2020-02-18T10:59:13-05:00. White-winged Dove: Medium-sized, stout dove with gray-brown upperparts, gray underparts, and small, black crescent below eye. You get a little of everything. The head is gray, bill is short and slightly decurved. Legs and feet are blue-gray. Town, Rivers, and Mountain Photos. Flight is slow and weak,often low to the ground. Body is rufous-brown with black streaks on the back and sides; white wing patches are visible in flight. Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park. Wings have white stripes visible in flight. Its head and neck is often stained rust-brown from ferrous minerals in marsh soils. The legs and feet are yellow-gray. Feeds at night on crustaceans and large sqiud it takes from the surface. The wings are short with white spotted black tips. Wings are dark with two narrow white bars; tail is black and notched. Even though it's early summer, some plants already have seed heads that attract colorful birds especially Goldfinches. Forages on ground for seeds, insects, larvae and caterpillars. The streets and alleys are lined with small shops. Pacific Loon: This medium-sized loon has a black-and-white checkered back and white underparts. Brown Booby: This large seabird is mostly dark brown with white under wing coverts, belly and vent. 6. Scenic drives, amazing hiking trails, waterfalls, mountain views, awesome restaurants, great small towns, and so many adventures can be found in the mountains of North Georgia. The White-winged Junco (J. hyemalis aikeni) has a grey head, breast and upper parts with white wing bars. Light buff-yellow wash on crown of head extending down nape may be visible. Brown Noddy: This medium-sized tern is brown except for the white forehead blending to a gray nape and a small white lower half-eye ring. Female resembles the male but is less tinged with red. Beautiful country. Feeds on aquatic plants, cultivated grains, seeds. Hovers over water before diving for prey at the surface. The wings are white-edged and white tipped; the legs and feet are pink. Underparts are white, and buff-brown wash on throat. Crown, face, and throat are black; nape is red-brown. They are most numerous in summer but occur year-round, especially along the coast. Black bill, legs. Bill is bright red with black tip. Sexes are similar, although female is usually larger. Dark tail has white edges. Ash-throated Flycatcher: Medium flycatcher with gray-brown upperparts, pale gray throat and breast, and gray-brown tail with rufous highlights. Tail is short. It has a buoyant, graceful flight with steady wing beats. Tail and rump are black. Feeds on insects, caterpillars, fruits and berries. It has a strong swift flight with steady wing beats. Georgia Mountain Falconry Weâre looking for adventurers, nature lovers, hunters, gatherers, wanderers, bird watchers and thrill seekers. Red-orange legs, feet. Feeds on insects, larvae, snails, seeds, and grains. Scenic and historic views are on and nearby this ride. The bill is small and triangular. North America's only all-white owl. Tail is dark with white corners. Short flight, alternates several rapid wing beats with wings pulled to sides. Common Eider: Large diving duck (v-nigrum), with distinctive sloping forehead, black body, white breast and back. Swift, graceful flight, alternates several rapid, deep wing beats with long curving glides. Swift low direct flight. Bill is dark with a yellow base and slightly decurved. Formerly a logging town that was in decline, the city resurrected itself by becoming a replica of a Bavarian alpine town, in the Appalachians instead of the Alps. Wings are black with large white patches. It has a strong direct flight with deep wing beats. Roseate Spoonbill: Large ibis, pink body, white upper back, neck. Diet includes aquatic vegetation and grass. They considered this to be their âEnchanted Land.â Cherokees farmed the Blue Ridge Mountains during temperate seasons, and left the area during the winter for warmer climates. Iridescent throat patch can appear purple, green or black. Throat feathers are long, purple-red, appearing as streaks on a white background, whiskers when fluffed out, or dark, inverted V when folded. Soars on fixed wings if wind is up. Whooping Crane: Adults are nearly all white except for red crown, black mask, and black primary feathers most visible in flight. Some of the most notable of these were Eugene Odum and Thomas Burleigh in Athens (author of Georgia Birds, published in 1958 and still a useful and important work), E. E. Murphey and J. Fred Denton in Augusta, Ivan Tomkins in Savannah, Herbert Stoddard in Grady County, and Earle Greene and William Griffin in Atlanta. Direct flight on deep wing beats. In Cuba a wintering female was spotted in 1981. Black bill, legs, feet. It has a gray crown and nape, red eyes and a slender black bill. Direct flight on rapid wing beats. The tail and vent are white. Black-headed Grosbeak: Large, stocky finch, black-streaked, orange-brown back, black head, wings, tail. Helm, 2009. Bill, legs and feet are black. Direct, swift flight on rapidly beating wings. Glaucous Gull: This large white gull has a pale gray back and yellow eyes. Dovekie: Small seabird with black upperparts and hood, white underparts, and stubby, black, sparrow-like bill. Wings with black tips and black bases of primaries. It also hosts its own Oktoberfest during September, October and November. Head and upper neck are green-black with head crest usually not visible. We would like to invite other birdwatchers to share their Mountain Bird ⦠There was some beautiful scenery along the roads. Its plumage blends well among prairie grasses, making it difficult to spot. Legs and feet are red. Cinnamon-brown underwings visible in flight. Vaguely resembles an ibis. Gilmer County Information - North Georgia. Gray cheek patch is marked by a thin, black line. Western Meadowlark: This short stocky, ground-dwelling bird has dark-streaked brown upperparts, bright yellow underparts, and a broad black V on the breast. The mountains in this region are in the Blue Ridge mountain chain that ends in Georgia. Black legs, feet. The upper half of the tail is white, lower half is finely banded. Black legs, feet. Buff-breasted Sandpiper: This medium-sized sandpiper has a buff wash over the entire body except for the white vent. Red bill. Feeds on nectar, spiders, sap and insects. There was also a number of rusty metal sculptures in the area. White-tailed Tropicbird: This large white bird has a long black bar on upperwing coverts and outer primaries, black loral mask which extends through and past the eye, yellow-orange bill, white tail streamers, yellow legs and feet and black webbed toes. Allen's Hummingbird: Small, compact hummingbird; male has straight black bill, glittering green crown and back, white breast, and rufous sides, belly, rump, and tail. White line divides green speculum and pale blue shoulder patch on wing. Head is dark with thick, white eyebrows and red eyes. Hood and throat are iridescent red, may appear black or dark purple in low light; broken white eye-ring is usually visible. Hood is solid black and eye-ring is dark red. Direct flight; slow downward wing beat and a powerful flick on the upbeat. New subspecies range maps for this bird will be available in the next iBird update at which time we will retire the Thayer’s Gull as it’s own species. Bouyant, erratic flight with slow, silent wingbeats. Crown is rufous, throat is white with black stripes, and bill is gray. Photos of birds in Gilmer County. Dives for small fish, crustaceans. Birds. Arctic Tern: This is a medium-sized, slim tern with gray upperparts, black cap, a white rump and throat, and pale gray underparts. Female is brighter; paler crown and grayer upperparts. Winter birds are duller gray and juveniles are light gray overall. Sexes are similar. Common Merganser: Large, sleek diving duck with black upperparts and white underparts. Face has thick, black eye-line. The upperwings are gray with black primaries and white secondaries. It has a swift, graceful flight, alternating several rapid shallow wing beats with a glide. Eastern populations are red-brown, Northwestern birds are more brown, and Western Interior birds are gray-brown. Burrowing Owl: Small ground-dwelling owl, mostly brown with numerous white spots and no ear tufts. Feeds on frogs, fish, mollusks, small mammals and crustaceans, grain and roots of water plants. Feeds by probing mud with bill or dunking head under water. Swift direct flight with rapid wing beats. The mountains in this region are in the Blue Ridge mountain chain that ends in Georgia. Dark phase adult has a dark brown body with a large white patch at base of primaries visible in flight. Tybee is also known as a place to find Painted Bunting in spring and summer. Lapland Longspur: Medium sparrow-like bird, brown-streaked black back. Red-bellied Woodpeckers feature peachy-red caps and napes with black and white striped backs. It often flies with erratic changes of direction. Western Grebe: Large, long-necked grebe with dark gray upperparts, white underparts, gray sides and flanks.