Tachybaptus novaehollandiae
A small waterbird with two distinct plumage phases. The non-breeding plumage of both the male and female is dark grey-brown above and mostly silver-grey below, with a white oval patch of bare skin at the base of the bill. During the breeding season, both sexes have a glossy-black head and a rich chestnut facial stripe which extends from just behind the eye through to the base of the neck. At this time, the eye becomes darker and the patch of skin at the base of the bill becomes pale yellow and more noticeable. When approached, Australasian Grebes usually dive under water.
Not Threatened.
A small waterbird with two distinct plumage phases. The non-breeding plumage of both the male and female is dark grey-brown above and mostly silver-grey below, with a white oval patch of bare skin at the base of the bill. During the breeding season, both sexes have a glossy-black head and a rich chestnut facial stripe which extends from just behind the eye through to the base of the neck. At this time, the eye becomes darker and the patch of skin at the base of the bill becomes pale yellow and more noticeable. When approached, Australasian Grebes usually dive under water.
Taxonomy:
- Podiceps novae Hollandiae Stephens, 1826, New South Wales. Formerly included in Podiceps. Forms superspecies with T. ruficollis and T. rufolavatus. Recently considered race of former, but breeding overlap in N New Guinea with no hybridization recorded. Validity of subspecies timorensis doubtful. Seven subspecies normally recognized. (source: Handbook of the Birds of World)
Movements are poorly known.
Subspecies and Distribution:
- *novaehollandiae (Stephens, 1826) - Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, S New Guinea. *leucosternos (Mayr, 1931) - Vanuatu and New Caledonia. *rennellianus (Mayr, 1931) - Rennell I (Solomon Is). *javanicus (Mayr, 1943) - Java. *timorensis (Mayr, 1943) - Timor. *fumosus (Mayr, 1943) - Sangir and Talaud Is (off NE Sulawesi). *incola (Mayr, 1943) - N New Guinea.
It is found in freshwater ponds or small waterways, wide range of water bodies. Typically found on small reservoirs at farms. It prefers vegetated shores during breeding.
Food consists mainly of small fish and water insects. Prey is normally caught during deep underwater dives, but some is taken on the surface. Like other grebes, the Australasian Grebe is often seen eating its own feathers and feeding them to its young. This behaviour is thought to help prevent injury from any sharp fish bones that are swallowed.
The Australasian Grebe may raise up to three successive broods in a season. Season prolonged in PNG. The pale blue eggs are laid in a nest which is a floating mound of vegetation, normally anchored to a submerged branch or reed. The striped downy chicks are able to swim from birth and are cared for by both parents. When parents start breeding again, however, the young of the previous brood are driven away.