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
Genus: Tachybaptus; Family: Podicipedidae; Order: Podicipediformes.
- Scientific name
- Tachybaptus novaehollandiae
- Authority
- (Stephens, 1826)
- Order
- Podicipediformes
- Family
- Podicipedidae
- Genus
- Tachybaptus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
Migration pattern: Complete migrants.
Conservation
Population trend: rising.
- Population trend
- rising
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Yellowhammer
Emberiza citrinella
Male distinctive, with bright yellow head, yellowish underparts. Female is drab and streaky, usually with yellowish wash to face, and often found with bright males. Note bright rusty rump. White outer tail feathers flash in flight. A species of heathland, forest clearings, and farmland with hedges. Male sings from a prominent perch, giving a dry and uninspired “dzidzidzidzidzi.” Forms flocks in winter, feeding mainly on ground in search of seeds. A native of Eurasia, introduced to New Zealand and a few adjacent islands.
Junin Antpitta
Grallaria obscura
Medium-sized, plain antpitta found in a limited area of the eastern Andes in south central Peru. It is uniform brown lacking strong field marks, but the pale eyering helps separate it from the similar Oxapampa Antpitta. Range and voice are also very important for ID. Typical songs include a short “bit-burr” and a series of five or six grating whistles. Inhabits the understory of high elevation forest and is mostly terrestrial, but sometimes perches higher to sing. It was formerly considered a subspecies of what used to be called Rufous Antpitta.
Pale-vented Thrush
Turdus obsoletus
Large, drab thrush. Mostly medium brown with few distinguishing features; look for white vent and dark bill. Found in forests and edges, often feeding on fruits in the canopy. Can be quite shy. Sings a melodic, flutelike song, usually delivered in fairly fast phrases from the canopy.
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