General Description

Non-breeding: upperparts dark brown; underparts white, with chestnut on the sides; eyes yellow. Breeding: head black with a streak of chestnut on the neck and yellow near the base of the bill. Body up to 28 cm long.

Biology

Australasian Grebes form small flocks during the non-breeding season. They dive underwater when alarmed. Nestlings stay under their parent's wings even when diving.

Distribution

Papua New Guinea and Pacific Islands. Mainland Australia and Tasmania. Introduced to New Zealand.

Habitat

Freshwater wetlands and dams.

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