Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) breeding adults , nest building behavior, teamwork, Montana

Watched this pair for several minutes, in the rain. They began collecting algaes and plant materials and piling in one location. A bit of research revealed they build their nests like this. Their own little island. I will swing by again tomorrow and see if they continued to build after my departure. If yes, I will post a part II. Thanks for watching !

[@indyreno2933]

You got the scientific name of the eared grebe completely wrong, its correct scientific name is actually Pliodytes nigricollis.

[@wilderness_bound]

thank you , I certainly am no expert but upon researching again I only see Podiceps. All about birds.org Cornell. National Audubon and Sibley my references.

[@indyreno2933]

@wilderness_bound, actually, the Podiceps genus is polyphyletic, seven extant species and a recently extinct species are all relocated to five separate genera, Potamopica for one extant species being the Red-Necked Grebe (Potamopica grisegena), Oreodytes for one extant species being the Hooded Grebe (Oreodytes gallardoi), Pliodytes for three recognized species being the Horned Grebe (Pliodytes auritus), the Eared Grebe (Pliodytes nigricollis), and the †Colombian Grebe (Pliodytes andinus), Dyas for two extant species being the Silvery Grebe (Dyas occipitalis) and the Junin Grebe (Dyas taczanowskii), and Podicephorus for one extant species being the Great Grebe (Podicephorus major), leaving the Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) as the only extant member of the Podiceps genus.