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Hoary-headed GrebeAlternate name(s): "Tom Pudding", "Dabchick*" ![]() "wyooda", "booradjin" (WA) Size: 29-30 cm Weight: 175-305 g |
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Similar |
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Photos |
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ADULT |
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BREEDING |
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PAIR |
Lateral view of a pair of Hoary-headed Grebes in breeding
plumage; on the
bird to the right one can see very clearly the diagnostic dark
nape streak, which distinguishes this species, especially when
seen while in non-breeding
plumage, from
Australasian Grebes
in non-breeding plumage
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Dangar's Lagoon, Uralla, NSW, February 2013]
Sex unknown |
Near-frontal view of a Hoary-headed Grebe in breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of
V. Collins)
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, June 2021]
Near-lateral view of a Hoary-headed Grebe in breeding
plumage
shaking itself dry
[Old Quipolly Dam, near Quirindi, NSW, May 2022]
Lateral view of a Hoary-headed Grebe in breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Port Fairy, VIC, April 2022]
Lateral view of a Hoary-headed Grebe in breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of
V. Collins)
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, June 2021]
Lateral view of a Hoary-headed Grebe in breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of
V. Collins)
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, June 2021]
Lateral view of a Hoary-headed Grebe in breeding
plumage, right,
with another moulting into eclipse
plumage
[Goran Lake, near Gunnedah, NSW, March 2023]
Dorsal view of a Hoary-headed Grebe in breeding
plumage
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, March 2020]
Dorsal view of Hoary-headed Grebes in breeding
plumage
[Yarrie Lake, near Wee Waa, NSW, July 2016]
Frontal comparison of a Hoary-headed Grebe in breeding
plumage, right,
with a first-year
Great Crested Grebe
[Goran Lake, near Gunnedah, NSW, March 2023]
Lateral comparison of Hoary-headed Grebes in (near-)breeding
plumage
with an
Australasian Grebe
in breeding
plumage
[Goran Lake, near Gunnedah, NSW, March 2023]
Dorsal view of a Hoary-headed Grebe in breeding
plumage, right, and an
Australasian Grebe
on the left
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Monger, Perth, WA, May 2021]
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NON-BREEDING |
Close-up frontal view of a Hoary-headed Grebe in non-breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of I. Duncan)
[Glen Iris wetlands, Melbourne, VIC, May 2013]
Lateral view of a Hoary-headed Grebe in non-breeding
plumage,
with its crown puffed up
(photo courtesy of I. Duncan)
[Glen Iris wetlands, Melbourne, VIC, May 2013]
Lateral view of a Hoary-headed Grebe in non-breeding
plumage,
with a slick crown; the bird's large bill may indicate that it
is a male (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Centennial Park, Sydney, NSW, May 2013]
Lateral view of a Hoary-headed Grebe in non-breeding
plumage
[Goran Lake, near Gunnedah, NSW, March 2023]
Dorsal view of a Hoary-headed Grebe in non-breeding
plumage,
with a clear view onto the characteristic dark nape streak
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Centennial Park, Sydney, NSW, May 2013]
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IMMATURE/JUVENILE |
Lateral view of an Hoary-headed Grebe; without any grey feathers
visible around the eye, this may still be a juvenile
[Burren Junction Bore Bath, NSW, January 2016]
Lateral view of a young Hoary-headed Grebe chick
[Goran Lake, NSW, January 2022]
Lateral view of a Hoary-headed Grebe with a young chick
[Goran Lake, NSW, February 2022]
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Behaviour |
Like other species of grebes, Hoary-headed Grebes perform elaborate courtship rituals.
Pair of Hoary-headed Grebes approaching each other; from here on
in it's all about a song and dance...
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]
Parallel alignment...
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]
... followed by anti-parallel ...
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]
Hoary-headed Grebes facing each other
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]
Hoary-headed Grebe flapping its wings, possibly in a display
meant to impress
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]
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Food, Diet |
Hoary-headed Grebes usually dive to catch their prey, such as small aquatic creatures, including crustaceans but also insects.
Hoary-headed Grebe chasing Gerridae water bugs; it was observed not
skimming the water surface, but snapping at individual insects at speed
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, June 2015]
Hoary-headed Grebes in breeding, non-breeding and sub-adult
plumages waiting
for that human to leave the lake shore to get to their prey
that is hiding among reeds
[Goran Lake, near Gunnedah, NSW, March 2023]
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Call(s)/Song |
For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The
interpretation of their meaning is our own;
comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.
hhgrebe_20200813_2.m4a | (NW NSW) | Contact call? | © MD | |
hhgrebe_vc_20220130.m4a | (NW NSW) | Warning calls & contact call? (+ Australian Magpie) | © VC | |
hhgrebe_20200813.m4a | (NW NSW) | ? | © MD |
More Hoary-headed Grebe sound recordings are available at
xeno-canto.org
.