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Boe, J., and G.L. Nuechterlein. 1990. Colony site and nest site selection by eared grebes in Minnesota. Final report submitted to the Nongame Wildlife Program, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 24 pp.
Introduction:
Eared grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) colonies in Minnesota are located on prairie lakes, mostly in the western half of the state. In 1980 breeding was reported at eight locations (Guertin and Pfannmuller 1985).
Although not considered rare or threatened (except as all waterbirds are threatened by wetland loss), they are nevertheless vulnerable because of their habit of nesting colonially. This study was begun in 1986 to determine factors important in the selection of particular wetlands as nesting sites by eared grebes, to determine characteristics important in the selection of a colony site within the wetland, and to study the selection of nest sites within the colony.