Eared Grebe

The eared grebe, as known in North America, is officially the black-necked grebe and is found internationally. There are three subspecies: one found in Asia and Europe; one found in South Africa; and Podiceps nigricollis californicus, which I assume could be called the California eared grebe, or California black-necked grebe. It is found from southwestern Canada, through the western U.S. and down as far as Guatamala where it winters.

Photos of it in breeding plumage are very funky. As it's name suggests, it has a black neck, a black back, a black chin and throat and a feathery black top-hat, a red eye and a chestnut/rust triangular feathers branching out from behind the eye and the same color on its side. I would really love to see that. 

Eared grebe (right) with a greater scaup (left). 

In non-breeding plumage, which I saw, it has grayish/black upper parts, including the top of the head, flanks, and neck. The rest of it is white or whitish, including a white chin patch. 

I saw a grebe, or perhaps multiple grebes, mixing with various ducks off the causeway to Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake. My photos aren't great, but convey the general idea of what it looks like.