Here is another photo of a horned grebe showing the unusual lobed toes (instead of webbed feet) used for steering and proplusion underwater. How would you like to try to scratch with a set of those? Like loons, their legs are set far back on their body which makes them excellent swimmers, but poor walkers. In fact, they build nests that float, avoiding land altogether. Their chicks are precocious, meaning they can swim and dive right from birth. Once the last egg hatches, they abandon the nest and babies can be seen hitching a ride on the parent's back to stay safe and warm.
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