A western grebe begins a courtship dance in the Shuswap.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Darrel Frolek
May 09, 2025 - 4:00 AM
Western grebes gather on Shuswap Lake every spring to mate, and their courtship dance is a sight to behold as pairs of them run long distances on top of the water.
Salmon Arm Bay on Shuswap Lake is the site for most of the province’s breeding grebes and the birds will court from April to June.
The courtship dance is referred to as a "rushing ceremony", according to All About Birds, which starts when the pair makes a call that sounds like cree creet. They then lower into the water and make a grating sound with chests out and throats extended. The pair dip heads and bills into the water, shake their heads back and forth, then rise up.
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A pair of birds rise up onto their feet and run along the surface of Shuswap Lake.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Darrel Frolek
“Then comes the spectacular rushing where both birds rise up in the water onto their feet, side by side, and simultaneously “rush” or run long distances across the surface, wings held up and back, necks curved, pattering with their powerful feet in what looks like a perfect bird ballet,” the article said.
The birds end the display by diving into the water, and will give each other gifts of fish and preen each other when they are not dancing.
Many nature lovers and wildlife photographers capture the spectacular dances every year.
If you have awesome wildlife photos to share, send them to news@infonews.ca.
Western grebes do a courtship dance on Shuswap Lake in Salmon Arm.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Darrel Frolek
A western grebe courtship display is coming to an end on Shuswap Lake.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Darrel Frolek
Western grebes end a courtship dance by diving into the water in the Shuswap.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Darrel Frolek
Grebes swim in Shuswap Lake in spring.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Darrel Frolek
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