Breeding Birds of the Platte River Valley
Pied-billed Grebe -- (Podilymbus podiceps)
Nebraska Status: A common migrant and local summer resident throughout the state. Peak migrations occur 24 March to 22 April in spring and 10 October to 16 November in fall (Johnsgard 1980).
Platte River Status: A common migrant and uncommon nesting species throughout the study area. Tout (1947) found pied-billed grebe only as a migrant in Lincoln County, present 27 April to 13 June, and 23 August to 11 November. Rosche (1979) recorded this species primarily as a migrant and winter visitor during 10 September to 6 May in the lower North Platte River Valley. Pied-billed grebe was referred to as a common nesting species on Keystone Lake, Keith County during 18 July to 19 August 1977 (Rosche 1979).
Breeding Range: Locally fairly common in the Sandhills; occasional pairs occur on wetlands in the Rainwater Basin area of the eastern plain, and locally in the Platte River Valley.
Breeding Population: The population in 1979-1980 was estimated at 485 breeding pairs. Our estimate is probably low due to this species' silent, secretive behavior and reluctance to flush from heavy cover.
Habitat: We found a mean density of 2.7 pairs per km2 on prairie wetlands. In our study area, semipermanent to permanent wetlands, and standing water areas along the Platte and North Platte rivers provide suitable nesting habitat for pied-billed grebes. Emergent vegetation consisting of cattail and hardstem bulrush is a necessary component for nest-building. Faanes (1982) and Kantrud and Stewart (1984) found that highest breeding densities across North Dakota occurred on semipermanent wetlands (11.9 pairs/km2). Occasional use is also made of sandpit wetlands, borrow pits adjacent to Interstate Highway 80, and diversion reservoirs.
Effect of Habitat Alteration: The net effect of conversion of wetlands to cropland is negative. As with most aquatic species occurring on the study area, the loss of over 90% of the wetlands in the rainwater basin area, and de-watering of the Platte River system, has produced a significant impact on breeding populations.
Nesting Data: Swenk (1933b) reported that pied-billed grebe was nesting near Hastings, Adams County, on 31 July 1932. This species was reported as nesting commonly on ponds and sandpit wetlands near North Platte, Lincoln County. We have records of three confirmed nests and broods in Adams, Lincoln, and Merrick counties. Extreme egg dates in North Dakota extend from 7 May to 20 August (Stewart 1975).
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