Bird field guide · Grebes

Photographing the Eared Grebe

How to photograph the Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis): the right lens for its size, shutter speeds for perched and moving animals, and when it's most often seen (January, February, April, May, October, November and December).

25–70 cm1/2000–1/3200 s
25–70 cm
Typical length (family range)
1/640 s
Shutter: perched / still
1/2000–1/3200 s
Shutter: action / flight
f/6.3–f/8
Aperture
22,632
Research-grade sightings in N. America
ModeManual + Auto ISOLock shutter & aperture, let ISO float
Shutter (still)1/640 s
Shutter (action)1/2000–1/3200 s
Aperturef/6.3–f/8
FocusAF-C + subject/eye detectionGet low to the water for an eye-level perspective; expose for bright plumage to avoid clipped whites.
DriveHigh-speed burst
Lens300–500 mmFull-frame equivalent

Focal length needed to frame it#

For a subject about 48 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.

Distance⅓ of frame (FF)½ of frame (FF)⅓ of frame (APS-C)⅓ of frame (MFT)
5 m (16 ft)122 mm183 mm81 mm61 mm
10 m (33 ft)244 mm365 mm163 mm122 mm
15 m (49 ft)366 mm548 mm244 mm183 mm
20 m (66 ft)488 mm730 mm325 mm244 mm
30 m (98 ft)732 mm1,095 mm488 mm366 mm
50 m (164 ft)1,220 mm1,826 mm813 mm610 mm

When to find it#

Jan: 12% Jan Feb: 9% Feb Mar: 9% Mar Apr: 12% Apr May: 10% May Jun: 5% Jun Jul: 4% Jul Aug: 4% Aug Sep: 5% Sep Oct: 9% Oct Nov: 11% Nov Dec: 10% Dec
Share of iNaturalist observations by month across North America. Peak months: January, February, April, May, October, November and December.

About the Eared Grebe#

The black-necked grebe (Podiceps nigricollis), known in North America as the eared grebe, is a member of the grebe family of water birds. It was described in 1831 by Christian Ludwig Brehm. There are currently three accepted subspecies, including the nominate subspecies.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Field-craft tips#

  • Courtship dances (spring) are best shot at water level from a floating or shoreline hide.
  • Get low to the water for an eye-level perspective; expose for bright plumage to avoid clipped whites.

Ethics#

  • The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
  • Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
  • Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
  • Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.

More Grebes#

Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podiceps Horned Grebe Horned GrebePodiceps auritus Western Grebe Western GrebeAechmophorus occidentalis Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegena Least GrebeTachybaptus dominicus Clark's GrebeAechmophorus clarkii

Frequently asked questions#

What lens do I need to photograph an Eared Grebe?

At about 48 cm long, an eared grebe fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 244 mm, or at 20 m with 488 mm.

What shutter speed should I use for an Eared Grebe?

1/640 s when it's still; 1/2000–1/3200 s for action.

When is the best time to photograph a Eared Grebe?

Observations in North America peak in January, February, April, May, October, November and December. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.

Sources & licences#

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources