Alaotra Grebe

The Alaotra grebe, known scientifically as Tachybaptus rufolavatus and colloquially as Delacour's little grebe or the rusty grebe, was a small bird measuring approximately 25 cm in length. It was characterized by its diminutive wings, which limited its ability to embark on long flights.

Identification Tips

This species did not exhibit significant sexual dimorphism, though males were noted to be marginally larger than females. The grebe's robust bill was indicative of its piscivorous nature.

Habitat

The Alaotra grebe was a denizen of the reed beds and papyrus clusters surrounding Lake Alaotra and nearby water bodies in Madagascar, which provided the primary nesting grounds for this aquatic bird.

Distribution

Endemic to Madagascar, the Alaotra grebe was confined to Lake Alaotra and its adjacent lakes, never found beyond these locales due to its poor dispersal capabilities.

Behaviour

While the full range of behaviors of the Alaotra grebe remains largely undocumented, it is suspected that its actions were akin to those of its close relative, the little grebe.

Breeding

The breeding habits of the Alaotra grebe are not well-recorded. However, it is believed that courtship and pair formation likely occurred in December, with the majority of breeding activities taking place from January to March. Observations of older juveniles with their mothers in late May and early June suggest that some egg laying may have transpired in April to June.

Diet and Feeding

The Alaotra grebe's diet predominantly consisted of fish, though insects were also found within the stomach contents of several specimens.

Conservation status

Declared extinct in 2010, the Alaotra grebe's decline was attributed to habitat destruction, entanglement in monofilament gillnets, predation by introduced species such as the blotched snakehead, and hybridization with little grebes, which may have led to reduced fitness in the hybrids. The last sighting, potentially of a hybrid, was in 1985. This extinction marked the 162nd confirmed bird extinction since 1600 AD.