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Hoary-headed GrebeAlternate name(s): "Tom Pudding", "Dabchick*" ![]() 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 (Pizzey & Knight), 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 |
Lateral view of a Hoary-headed Grebe in breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Kilcowera Station, between Thargomindah and Hungerford, QLD, June 2020]
Lateral view of a Hoary-headed Grebe in breeding plumage (photo courtesy of
R. Plumtree)
[Ensay South, East Gippsland, VIC, May 2016]
Near-dorsal view of a Hoary-headed Grebe in breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Ensay South, East Gippsland, VIC, May 2016]
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]
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NON-BREEDING |
Hoary-headed Grebes in both breeding and non-breeding
plumage
[Burren Junction, NSW, December 2014]
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]
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 |
Without any grey feathers visible around the eye, this Hoary-headed
Grebe may still be in juvenile
plumage
[Burren Junction, NSW, January 2016]
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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]
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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.m4a | (NW NSW) | ? | © MD | |
hhgrebe_20200813_2.m4a | (NW NSW) | ? | © MD |
More Hoary-headed Grebe sound recordings are available at
xeno-canto.org
.