Black-necked Grebe - Podiceps nigricollis

When news came out that a Black-necked Grebe was seen in a fish pond in Laoag City birders from the greater MetroManila area were excited. Quite a number of them traveled the 500 km distance just to see this rarity. My wife and I were among them. We were honestly quite surprised at how uncommon this bird was in this part of the world - and that birders would drive such long distance just to see it. Considering that this one wasn't even in its beautiful breeding plumage.

For Cynthia and myself, this would no longer be a lifer for us having seen it quite a number of times in California.

The Black-necked Grebe, known as Eared Grebe in North America is the most abundant grebe in the world occurring in all continents except Australia and Antartica. Those that inhabit northeastern Asia migrates in winter to Southern China and Taiwan. In the Philippines it had only been recorded twice - the first one back in 1929 in Laguna de Bay and the second - this one in Laoag City.

Laoag - non-breeding
December 31, 2013
Canon 5D Mk III, 500mm+1.4X (700mm)
ISO-640, f9, 1/640

California - non breeding
December 30, 2006
Canon 30D, 500mm+1.4X (700mm), tripod
ISO-250, f9, 1/640

California - breeding
April 4, 2005
Canon 20D, 500mm+1.4X (700mm)
ISO-200, f8, 1/500