What is remarkable about the duration of the flightless period during the Eared Grebe's fall staging?

Answer

It is the longest known for any bird species that is otherwise capable of flight (averaging 3 to 4 months)

The flightless period, which occurs as the bird rebuilds reserves, averages three to four months in the fall, representing the longest duration of functional flightlessness documented for any bird species that can normally fly.

What is remarkable about the duration of the flightless period during the Eared Grebe's fall staging?
birdanimalFeaturewaterfowlGrebe