From Opus

Poliocephalus rufopectus

Identification

New Zealand Grebe (New Zealand Dabchick) Podiceps rufopectus (Poliocephalus rufopectus)

A small New Zealand grebe confusable with two other species in non-breeding plumage. Adult breeding: blackish-brown above, breast rufous, flanks and undertail cinnamon-brown and belly white. Crown and nape black with greenish gloss, hindneck blackish-brown. Lores and ear-coverts blackish with grey streaks, chin and throat brown, foreneck rufous. Iris white, bill and legs blackish. Adult non-breeding: duller with black replaced by dark brown and rufous foreneck lost. Juvenile: as non-breeding adult but greyer overall with variable striping on sides of head. Flight: shows brown-tipped white secondaries on upperwing. Pale eye is distinctive but the other two small New Zealand grebes may sometimes show this. Stout bill lacking pale patch at base distinguishes this species from Australasian Little Grebe Tachybaptus novaehollandiae and browner, less grey overall than Hoary-headed Grebe P. poliocephalus.

Length 28cm.

Distribution

New Zealand: widepread and common on North Island, particularly in the Rotorua area, declining in South Island where now scarce and absent from much of former range. Mainly sedentary with limited post-breeding wandering.

Taxonomy

Habitat

Freshwaters including reservoirs, lakes and swamps. May gather into small flocks after breeding.

Behaviour

Voice Shrill �wee-wee-wee� and low �tuk-tuk-tuk� when breeding. Nest is a heap of vegetation, floating and anchored to submerged plants or on the bottom in shallow water. Breeds July-May. Eggs: 2-3, chalky-white initially soon becoming stained.

Diet includes Small fish and aquatic invertebrates

External Links

• View more images of this species on the ABID