Australasian Grebe
Tachybaptus novaehollandiae
Small ducklike bird that rides low in the water. In breeding plumage note bright yellow eye, dark face, and rusty brown neck. In non-breeding plumage it is much paler, with the dark cap not extending below the eye (compare with Hoary-headed Grebe). Can be abundant; typically on freshwater ponds and lakes.
Identification
Both sexes are dark brown above with a glossy-black head and neck and a striking chestnut facial stripe, extending from behind the eye to the base of the neck. The eye is yellow, with a prominent pale yellow face spot below.<p>Both sexes are generally duller, with no chestnut stripe, the face spot whiter, and throat and front grey-white. Similar to non-breeding hoary-headed grebes, which share a similar range.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Tachybaptus novaehollandiae
- Authority
- (Stephens, 1826)
- Order
- Podicipediformes
- Family
- Podicipedidae
- Genus
- Tachybaptus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
The Australasian grebe is an excellent swimmer and diver, and usually dives immediately when alarmed and swims away under water.<p>They are not strong flyers and will fly distances only at night, presumably to avoid predators. They tend not to leave their home base if there is sufficient food. If disturbed they will dive and re-surface 10–15 metres away rather than fly.<p>Both parents will raise the chicks; however, the male will leave after a couple of months when the chicks are about three-quarters grown. Initially the young will ride on the parents back, hidden between their slightly raised wings. When the chicks begin to dive and feed themselves (at about 10 weeks) the mother may leave too, although mothers have been known to return soon after, apparently to check on the chicks.<p>The parents are very protective and will try to drive away other water birds (ducks, herons) by confronting them and flapping their wings wildly or using their wings to splash water at the intruders.<p>
Conservation
- Population trend
- rising
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Graceful Honeyeater
Meliphaga gracilis
A small olive-gray honeyeater with a circular pale yellow cheek patch and a relatively fine bill. Can be confused with Lewin’s Honeyeater and Yellow-spotted Honeyeater, but note the shape of the cheek patch: crescent-shaped on Lewin’s Honeyeater and oval on Yellow-spotted Honeyeater. Adults also have a blue-gray eye while Lewin’s has a bluish eye and Yellow-spotted has a brown eye. Found on the Cape York Peninsula and southern New Guinea.
Yellow-crowned Parakeet
Cyanoramphus auriceps
A small, rare, bright green parakeet endemic to New Zealand. Recognized by its yellow crown and the thin red band that stretches to both red eyes between the crown and the base of the beak. Found in large native forests on the mainland, on the Auckland Islands, and on offshore island sanctuaries. Usually detected by its rapid chattering call within the tree canopy. Forms small flocks in autumn and winter. Similar to Malherbe’s Parakeet, but look for brighter green plumage, red frontal band, and crimson rump patches instead of orange. Smaller than the Red-crowned Parakeet, lacking red crown.
Solomons Frogmouth
Rigidipenna inexpectata
A bizarre-looking nocturnal bird with large bulging eyes. Brown or rufous in color with barred tail and wing feathers and white-blotched wings. Camouflage is exceptional. Rarely encountered, but recorded from sea level up to 700 meters of elevation. Superficially similar to Solomons Nightjar but unlikely to be confused. Reported to give a series of whistles rising or descending in pitch, but vocally poorly known.
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