Tachybaptus
Encyclopedia
Tachybaptus is a genus of small members of the grebe
family birds. It has representatives over much of the world, including the tropics.
These grebes breed in small colonies in heavily vegetated areas of freshwater lakes. They may move to more open or coastal waters when not breeding, and birds in those areas where the waters freeze may be migratory
.
Like all grebes, they nest on the water's edge, since the legs are set very far back and they cannot walk well. The striped young are sometimes carried on the adult's back.
These small grebes are excellent swimmers and divers, and pursue their fish
prey underwater. Indeed, the name Tachybaptus literally means "quick diving" (from the Greek for "quick" and "to dip").
The sexes are similar, dumpy and short-billed with a “powder puff” rear end. Adults have a distinctive breeding plumage and loud breeding calls. In winter, they are grey and white.
The four Old World species are closely related to each and at least three have interbred. Unlike these, the Least Grebe
lacks chestnut colouring on the neck, and has formerly been placed in at least three other genera.
Grebe
A grebe is a member of the Podicipediformes order, a widely distributed order of freshwater diving birds, some of which visit the sea when migrating and in winter...
family birds. It has representatives over much of the world, including the tropics.
These grebes breed in small colonies in heavily vegetated areas of freshwater lakes. They may move to more open or coastal waters when not breeding, and birds in those areas where the waters freeze may be migratory
Bird migration
Bird migration is the regular seasonal journey undertaken by many species of birds. Bird movements include those made in response to changes in food availability, habitat or weather. Sometimes, journeys are not termed "true migration" because they are irregular or in only one direction...
.
Like all grebes, they nest on the water's edge, since the legs are set very far back and they cannot walk well. The striped young are sometimes carried on the adult's back.
These small grebes are excellent swimmers and divers, and pursue their fish
Fish
Fish are a paraphyletic group of organisms that consist of all gill-bearing aquatic vertebrate animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish, as well as various extinct related groups...
prey underwater. Indeed, the name Tachybaptus literally means "quick diving" (from the Greek for "quick" and "to dip").
The sexes are similar, dumpy and short-billed with a “powder puff” rear end. Adults have a distinctive breeding plumage and loud breeding calls. In winter, they are grey and white.
The four Old World species are closely related to each and at least three have interbred. Unlike these, the Least Grebe
Least Grebe
The Least Grebe , an aquatic bird, is the smallest member of the grebe family. It occurs in the New World from the southwestern United States and Mexico to Chile and Argentina, and also on Trinidad and Tobago, the Bahamas and the Greater Antilles.-Description:The Least Grebe ranges in length from...
lacks chestnut colouring on the neck, and has formerly been placed in at least three other genera.
Species
- Little GrebeLittle GrebeThe Little Grebe , also known as Dabchick, member of the grebe family of water birds. At 23 to 29 cm in length it is the smallest European member of its family. It is commonly found in open bodies of water across most of its range.-Description:The Little Grebe is a small water bird with a pointed...
, Tachybaptus ruficollis - Australasian GrebeAustralasian GrebeThe Australasian Grebe is a tiny waterbird common on fresh water lakes and rivers in greater Australia, New Zealand and on nearby Pacific islands. At 25-27 cm in length, it is one of the smallest members of the grebe family...
Tachybaptus novaehollandiae - Madagascar GrebeMadagascar GrebeThe Madagascar Grebe is a grebe found only in western and central Madagascar. It is classified as Vulnerable, with a population of less than 5,000. The most serious threat is, in the west, from reduction of habitat, especially by rice cultivation...
, Tachybaptus pelzelnii - Alaotra GrebeAlaotra GrebeThe Alaotra Grebe , also known as Delacour's Little Grebe or Rusty Grebe, was a grebe endemic to Lake Alaotra and surrounding lakes in Madagascar. The last sighting was in 1985 and the species was declared extinct in 2010...
(Rusty Grebe), Tachybaptus rufolavatus - ExtinctExtinctionIn biology and ecology, extinction is the end of an organism or of a group of organisms , normally a species. The moment of extinction is generally considered to be the death of the last individual of the species, although the capacity to breed and recover may have been lost before this point...
(last seen in 1985, declared extinct in 2010) - Least GrebeLeast GrebeThe Least Grebe , an aquatic bird, is the smallest member of the grebe family. It occurs in the New World from the southwestern United States and Mexico to Chile and Argentina, and also on Trinidad and Tobago, the Bahamas and the Greater Antilles.-Description:The Least Grebe ranges in length from...
, Tachybaptus dominicus