Least Grebe (Podiceps dominicus to Tachybaptus dominicus) is found in South America as far south as Argentina, as far east as the Greater Antilles, and frequently as far north as southern Texas. This is a small grebe and is typically only about nine inches long. The head and neck are grayish, and the throat is black. The underside and back is brownish.

There are four subspecies. The nominate subspecies Tachybaptus dominicus dominicus is found on various lands surrounding the Caribbean. The subspecies brachypterus is found from southern Texas south through central Mexico to Panama. The subspecies bangsi is found in Sonora and Baja California in western Mexico. The subspecies speciosus is found on the mainland of tropical South America.

The grebe genus (Podiceps) contains 10 species found on all the major continents of the world. These birds are generally from about 10-19 inches in length. These birds have their legs set way back on the body to permit them to swim with their legs. These birds dive to about a maximum of 20 feet to search for insect larvae, small fish, and crustaceans.

Grebe family (Podicipedidae)can be placed into the grebe order. Although the Grebes and Loons are frequently combined, these are two rather divergent groups of birds. Grebes are usually fresh water species of water birds with a somewhat duck-like appearance. However, their smaller size, narrow bill and long neck help separate them from the ducks. The feet of the grebe are mounted far back on its body and are useful for swimming. Their tails are almost nonexistent. There are 20 different species of grebes known, and six of these species are found in North America.

Grebe order (Podicipediformes) contains a single family (Podicipedidae). Although the Grebes and Loons are frequently combined, these are two rather divergent groups of birds. Grebes are usually fresh water species of water birds with a somewhat duck-like appearance. However, their smaller size, narrow bill and long neck help separate them from the ducks. The feet of the grebe are mounted far back on its body and are useful for swimming. Their tails are almost nonexistent. There are 20 different species of grebes known, and six of these species are found in North America. Some modern authors have moved the grebe family into the Ciconiiformes order of birds which includes many of the shorebirds.

Aves contains about 8,650 different species of living birds known to science. Each year about one new species is discovered in some remote rain forest or remote island. In addition, scientists have been raising many subspecies to full species status which may raise the species count to 10,000. Birdlife recognizes 10,027 species as of 2011.

However, each year about one species goes extinct. The rate of extinction is increasing, and the rate of new discovery is decreasing, so that the number of bird species will soon begin to decline rapidly. Although different taxonomists would organize the birds differently, there are approximately twenty-seven orders of birds. These orders are broken down into about one hundred and fifty-five different families.

Recent research of the genetic structure of some of the shore birds and owls would indicate that the present organization of orders and families should have some modification.

The birds are a worldwide group of animals that are characterized by having the front limbs modified into wings that are used for flying. Perhaps the most unique feature of the birds is the feathers. These feathers are made up of a central support called a quill and a series of small filaments that are hooked together as barbs.

For many years it was believed that Archaeopteryx discovered in Bavaria was the oldest bird from about 150 million years ago. However, in l986, Sankar Chattterjee, a Texas paleontologist, reportedly discovered a bird in the genus Protoavis that lived about 225 million years ago.

When this project was begun in 1978, we used Austin & Singer for bird taxonomy. Since then, we have adopted many changes, but have kept some older concepts that are still found widely in the literature. Recently, we have used Clements and Howard & Moore. Very recently, we have used Monroe and Sibley for the higher taxonomy of the perching birds.

Backboned Animals (Phylum Chordata) are the most advanced group of animals on earth. These animals are characterized by having a spinal cord or backbone. Most members have a clearly defined brain that controls the organism through a spinal cord. Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals are in this phylum.

Currently, some taxonomists believe that the fish should be divided into two groups (sharks and regular fishes) and that there are some other primitive groups in the phylum such as hagfish or lampreys.

Animal Kingdom contains numerous organisms that feed on other animals or plants. Included in the animal kingdom are the lower marine invertebrates such as sponges and corals, the jointed legged animals such as insects and spiders, and the backboned animals such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

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