From Opus

Rollandia rolland

Photo by Dwaalgast
Adult in breeding plumage
Location: Pebbles Island, The Falklands

[edit] Identification

Sometimes called Golden Grebe

L. 28-36 cm

• Medium-sized
• Prominent crest on rear crown

[edit] Adult Breeding

• Blackish-brown above
• Glossed green
• Rufous rump
• Chestnut below
• Flanks mottled blackish
• White below
• Black head and neck
• Narrow white line over eye broadening to white fan behind eye
• Red eye
• Black bill and legs

[edit] Adult Non-breeding

• Blackish-brown upperparts and crest
• Browner, tinged reddish, neck and breast
• Whitish throat and underparts
• Lacks crest

[edit] Juvenile

Similar to non-breeding adult but bill browner and has stripes across cheeks.

[edit] Flight

Shows broad white bar on trailing edge of secondaries.

Photo by Sylvester_b
Non breeding plumaged bird
Location: Torres del Paine, Chile

[edit] Distribution

South America from Peru, Bolivia and southern Brazil south to Tierra del Fuego, also breeds on the Falkland Islands.

[edit] Taxonomy

Three subspecies are recognised, differing mainly in size. Nominate race, rolland (largest) is found on the Falkland Islands, chilensis (smallest) from 100S in Peru south to Tierra del Fuego and from southern Brazil and Paraguay southwards, and morrisoni (intermediate) in the highlands of Peru and Bolivia.

[edit] Habitat

Upland and lowland ponds and rivers, sometimes on estuarine waters and sheltered bays in non-breeding season.

[edit] Behaviour

[edit] Breeding

Mid-October to January in Falkland Islands. Nest is a heap of floating vegetation in rushes or under a streamside overhang. Eggs: 1-3, whitish initially soon becoming stained.

[edit] Diet

Small fish, crustaceans and aquatic plants taken in 15-20 second dives.

[edit] Voice

Creaking and jarring calls when breeding.

[edit] External Links