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Grebes 181

provide a ceiling for the pool to prevent premature release in birds able to take flight from small
pools, and to provide protection from aerial predators.
A filtration system is recommended for efficiently keeping larger pools clean and is a worthwhile
investment when rehabilitating waterbirds. Not only is the patient disturbed less frequently, since
the entire pool does not need to be cleaned out as often, but the water is continuously kept moving
so there is less risk of feather damage as just one instance of unnoticed soiled water can compro-
mise waterproofing on a bird. Existing pools can generally be modified to accommodate the addi-
tion of a filtration system. See Chapters 6 and 9 for more tips and information about waterproofing,
brooders, and pools suitable for grebes.
If no filtration system is available, a hose can be placed at one edge of the pool with the water set
to a low trickle. A drainage hole should be placed at the water line on the other side of the pool so
the surface water is allowed to drain off. Overflow cleaning should be done periodically for pools
without filtration systems. This can be done by filling the pool to the top edge and letting the water
overflow for several minutes. This will help flush out and minimize contaminants from food and
feces building up in the water. Swimming pool nets and siphons should be used daily to remove
larger debris that settles to the bottom.

­ Preparation­for Wild­Release

Grebes can be considered ready for release when they are 8–12 weeks old, capable of hunting live
fish, completely waterproof, free from illness or fully recovered from any injuries, and appropri-
ately wary of humans. Flight feathers should be mostly grown in at this stage, but do not need to
be fully mature prior to release. Waterproofing can be tested by removing the haul‐out for 48 hours
and then checking to ensure that the contour feathers are completely dry without any compro-
mised areas that are wet to the skin anywhere on the body. Keep a close eye on any grebe that is
being tested in this way and intervene if the waterproofing test shows signs of failure.
Birds should be released near the location where they were found into a suitable habitat that
ideally has other grebes of the same species. Birds should only be released when mild weather is
expected for at least 3 days so they have an opportunity to get their bearings and adapt to life in the
wild. It is important to track migration timing if a grebe is ready to be released close to or during
migration. During this time, it is important to always introduce a newly released bird into a flock
so they can join any migration movements of their wild conspecifics.

­ Acknowledgments

Many thanks to Sandie Elliott for her work on the first edition of this chapter, and for caring for
grebes for many years. Thanks to the staff and volunteers of both Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of
Minnesota and International Bird Rescue for their efforts on behalf of grebes.

­ Sources­for Products­Mentioned

Leg Bands: National Band and Tag Company, 721 York St, Newport, KY 41072–0430, (800) 261–8247,
www.nationalband.com.