
Little Grebe immature/Zampullin
Rio del Algar, Altea. Spain (Nov, 2013). It is a small water bird with a pointed bill. Juvenile birds have a yellow bill with a small black tip, and black and white streaks on the cheeks and sides of the neck. This yellow bill darkens as the juveniles age, eventually turning black once in adulthood. Adults also adopt a dull buff plumage in the winter, with a darker back and cap, and “powder puff” rear end.

The Little Grebe, also known as Dabchick, is a member of the grebe family of water birds. At 23 to 29 cm in length it is the smallest European member of its family. It is commonly found in open bodies of water across most of its range.