Little Grebe

Tachybaptus ruficollis

Family: Grebes · Status: Very rare resident · Size: 25–29 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Occurs across Africa, Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, China, Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia, including the Thai-Malay Peninsula and the Greater Sundas.

Identification

Small and duck-like. Breeding adult has bright rufous-chestnut cheeks, throat and foreneck that contrasts with dark brown crown, hindneck and upperparts, pale-yellowish basal patch on black bill prominent, pale yellow iris. Non-breeding adult is paler, with greyish-brown neck-sides replacing the chestnut, and whitish chin and throat. Juvenile with striped markings on ear-coverts and neck, pinkish-orange bill.

Habitat

Shallow, well-vegetated freshwater wetlands including ponds, marshes, and disused quarry pools.

Behaviour

Seldom flies when alarmed, preferring to dive before resurfacing nearby; dives for 10–25 seconds to feed on aquatic invertebrates and small fish.