The Horned grebe breeds from Alaska and northern Canada south through the Canadian prairie provinces to Washington, Montana, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The Horned grebe resembles a small, compact duck with a short, pointed bill.
Sexes are alike.
Breeding adults have a reddish neck, breast, and flanks. The back and throat are dark, and the head is nearly black. Conspicuous orange-buff to golden ear plumes distinguish the species. The bill is dark and the breast is white. The winter plumage is rather drab.