Colours
Distinguishing features
It is a fairly small dark grey and white grebe. It has a brown eye and a black patch under the chin, and a narrow black streak down the back of the neck. During the breeding season the adult's plumage has white streaks over its entire head, giving them the common name of Hoary-headed Grebe. Juveniles have a white chin and throat and a striped face.
Males have two plumage phases: after breeding they lose the buff breast and the white lines on the head, but can usually be identified then by the broad black bar down the nape. (Wikipedia)
Size
- From 25 cm to 30 cm (Length of specimen)
Wingspan
- Wingspan data is not yet available.
Synonyms
Similar taxa
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Animalia:
Australasian Grebe (species: Tachybaptus novaehollandiae)
The Australasian Grebe is similar to non-breeding Hoary-headed Grebe, which share a similar range.
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Distribution and habitat preferences
It is found in all states and territories of Australia as well as in New Zealand. It is generally absent from the central arid regions of Australia.
It is usually found away from the shoreline in large open waters, which may be estuarine, brackish or freshwater. It can also be found in sheltered coastal seas. It can sometimes be found in New Zealand, where it is much less common than Australia. (Wikipedia)
Diet
It feeds on aquatic arthropods, mostly caught by deep diving. This species feeds during the day, and when the light is poor, forages mostly at the water surface. (Wikipedia)
