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Great Crested Grebes sharing parental dutiesAlternate name(s): "Crested Grebe", "Tippet Grebe", "Loon", "Gaunt"; Misnomer: "Carr Goose"  Aboriginal name(s): "kiyirn" [tjapwurrung};
"kali" (WA)Size: 47-61 cm; wing span 59-73 cm Weight: 0.9-1.5 kg |
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In October 2022, a pair of Great Crested Grebes was found nesting at Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA. Their clutch of 5 hatched in November, while under observation, making it possible to study how they cared for their young.
Great Crested Grebe incubating its clutch of 5
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, October 2022]
As soon as the last chick was hatched, the Great Crested Grebe parents took their offspring on excursions. One adult had the task of carrying the chicks, while the partner was on fishing duties.
Great Crested Grebe carrying its 5 chicks on its back
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]
Great Crested Grebe's partner arriving with a delivery of fish
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]
Great Crested Grebe's partner arriving with a delivery of fish
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]
The Great Crested Grebe carrying the chicks showed no interest in
the food, which was all delivered to the chicks; this suggests a
rotation of duties between the partners
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]
Lateral view of a Great Crested Grebe carrying its chicks,
while the partner is catching fish
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]
One chick was adventurous and went for a swim, but getting back
"on board" can be tricky
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]
One chick was adventurous and went for a swim, but getting back
"on board" can be tricky
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]
Great Crested Grebe returning to its nest with the 5 chicks
"on board"
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]
For a short while all 5 chicks "disembarked"...
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]
... but once the parent bird had settled in, everyone jumped
aboard again; the chicks did not get under the parent bird
again to be brooded
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]
While the rest of the family was on the nest, more food was brought in
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]
Food delivery at the nest; the chicks did not come off the
back of the carrying adult
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]
That is a big fish for a small Great Crested Grebe chick; one
may doubt whether it can fit in...
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]
... "betcha it does!"
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]
Which leaves the parent bird on fishing duty no other choice
but to head back out again; it is a tall order to fill 5
hungry bills
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]
2 days later, the chicks have grown visibly, creating a space problem
on the back of the carrying parent bird
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]
As a consequence, chicks increasingly chose - or were forced - to
get off the parent's back
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]
Even among the remaining two chicks there was infighting
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]
4 young Great Crested Grebe chicks of different sizes, as a consequence
of asynchronous hatching; from left to right the order appears to be
#1, #3, #2 and #4
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]
4 young Great Crested Grebe chicks during an outing on day 5
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]
4 young Great Crested Grebe chicks watching one of their parents
trying to get their next feed
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]
While during the first 3 days the pair of Great Crested Grebes fed
their chicks entire fish that hardly fit in, subsequently the diet
was changed to small morsels only
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]
4 young Great Crested Grebe chicks in a huddle, waiting
for their parents' return
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]
Upon return, somebody has have given a sign to remount...
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]
... whereupon the scramble started for the best seats
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]
And no surprise - at this age and size, the last one up has its
feet dangling behind
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]
