Little Grebe

Scientific Name: Tachybaptus ruficollis
Malay Name: Tetimbul Kecil Biasa
Chinese Name: 小䴙䴘

Range:
Found from Africa to Europe, Central Asia, Middle East, Indian subcontinent, China, Korea, Japan and Southeast Asia

Taxonomy:
Polytypic. Subspecies are: ruficollis, albescens, iraquensis, capensis, poggei, philippensis, cotabato.

Local Subspecies: poggei

Size: 25-29 cm

Identification:
Small and duck-like. Adult has bright rufous-chestnut head-sides, throat and foreneck contrasting with dark brown crown, hindneck and upperside, yellow eyes and blackish bill with prominent yellow gape-skin. Juvenile has duller plumage, pinkish-orange bill, blackish head with vertical buffish stripes on head and neck.

Habitat: Well vegetated marshes and disused quarry pools.

Behaviour/Ecology: Seldom flies when alarmed, preferring to dive underwater before resurfacing a few meters away.

Local Status: Uncommon resident

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2019)

Location: Lorong Halus. Previously recorded at Kranji Marsh, Tampines Quarry, Singapore Quarry and Punggol Barat.

Photos:

Little Grebe at Lorong Halus. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Little Grebe at Lorong Halus. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Little Grebe at Lorong Halus. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Little Grebe nest building at Lorong Halus. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Little Grebe chick at Lorong Halus. Photo credit: Francis Yap

External Links:
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Photos: Oriental Bird Images
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link

References:
BirdLife International. (2019). Tachybaptus ruficollis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019. Downloaded on 2 September 2021
Jeyarajasingam, A., & Pearson, A. (2012). A Field Guide to the Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. Oxford University Press.
Robson, C. (2008). A Field Guide to the Birds of South-East Asia. New Holland Publishers.