Australasian grebe
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Tachybaptus novaehollandiae

The Australasian grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae ) is a small waterbird common on fresh water lakes and rivers in greater Australia, New Zealand and on nearby Pacific islands. At 25–27 cm (9.8–10.6 in) in length, it is one of the smallest members of the grebe family, along with the least grebe and little grebe.

Australasian grebe habitat map
Australasian grebe
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Habits and Lifestyle

The Australasian grebe is an excellent swimmer and diver, and usually dives immediately when alarmed and swims away under water.

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They are not strong flyers and will fly distances only at night, presumably to avoid predators. They tend not to leave their home base if there is sufficient food. If disturbed they will dive and re-surface 10–15 metres away rather than fly.

Both parents will raise the chicks; however, the male will leave after a couple of months when the chicks are about three-quarters grown. Initially the young will ride on the parents back, hidden between their slightly raised wings. When the chicks begin to dive and feed themselves (at about 10 weeks) the mother may leave too, although mothers have been known to return soon after, apparently to check on the chicks.

The parents are very protective and will try to drive away other water birds (ducks, herons) by confronting them and flapping their wings wildly or using their wings to splash water at the intruders.

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Seasonal behavior
Bird's call

Diet and Nutrition

Population

References

1. Australasian grebe Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australasian_grebe
2. Australasian grebe on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22696553/93570492
3. Xeno-canto bird call - https://xeno-canto.org/706134

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