Distribution Map
Australasian Grebe
Tachybaptus novaehollandiae
NativeStatus
CommonRarity
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Species Description
The Australasian Grebe is a small waterbird commonly seen on freshwater ponds, lakes, and slow-moving rivers throughout Australia, New Zealand, and nearby Pacific islands. It is well known for its diving skills and ability to thrive on both permanent and temporary waterbodies. This species is often observed alone or in pairs, swimming low in the water and disappearing quickly beneath the surface when disturbed.
Fun Facts
Australasian Grebes eat their own feathers and feed them to their chicks, a behaviour believed to protect their digestive system from sharp fish bones or parasites.
1. Glossy black head and chestnut facial stripe in breeding adults.
2. Bright yellow eyes with a pale spot beneath.
3. Rides low in the water, often diving when alarmed.
These grebes feed on small fish, aquatic insects, crustaceans, and occasionally small frogs. They are expert divers, using their dense, waterproof feathers to control buoyancy and stay submerged for extended periods. Both parents share nest-building, incubation, and chick-rearing duties. Nests are floating platforms anchored to submerged vegetation. Chicks can swim from birth and often ride on their parents’ backs for warmth and protection. The breeding season varies by region but generally occurs from September to January in southern Australia and January to April in the north, with opportunistic breeding after heavy rains.
Australasian Grebes inhabit a wide range of freshwater environments, including farm dams, urban ponds, wetlands, and lakes with abundant aquatic vegetation. They are adaptable and can quickly colonize new or temporary water sources. During the breeding season, they favour waterbodies with dense vegetation for nesting. They are distributed throughout mainland Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand (where they self-introduced), and several Pacific islands.
Physical Attributes
Height
26 cm
Size Relative to Other Birds57%
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