Least Grebe

The least grebe, known scientifically as Tachybaptus dominicus, is an aquatic bird and the smallest member of the grebe family. This diminutive bird is characterized by its small and plump body, a fairly short, sharp-pointed beak, and bright yellow eyes. It is typically dark in appearance, with variations during breeding season.

Identification Tips

In breeding plumage, the least grebe sports a brownish-grey back with a darker blackish crown and throat. The chest takes on a brownish hue while the underparts remain pale. Notably, it reveals a white wing patch during flight. Non-breeding birds and immatures are lighter, with a whitish throat, lacking the chestnut coloring on the neck found in other members of its genus.

Habitat

The least grebe inhabits a diverse array of wetland environments, from freshwater ponds and marshes to mangrove swamps. It shows a preference for waters with abundant vegetative cover, particularly along the edges, and may opt for smaller, temporary waters for breeding to evade predators.

Distribution

This species is widespread in the New World, ranging from the southwestern United States and Mexico down to Argentina. It is also present on Trinidad and Tobago, the Bahamas, and the Greater Antilles.

Behaviour

Outside of the breeding season, least grebes may be observed either alone or in pairs. Occasionally, they congregate in flocks numbering over twenty individuals.

Song & Calls

The vocalization of the least grebe during the breeding season has been compared to the whinnying of a horse.

Breeding

Breeding occurs throughout the year, with a tendency to coincide with the rainy season in tropical regions. The nest is a floating structure of vegetation, anchored in open water. Females lay a clutch of three to six initially white eggs, which become stained brown in the nest. Both parents share incubation duties, and the young, adorned with stripes, may be carried on the backs of adults.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the least grebe is varied, including small fish, crustaceans, frogs, and aquatic insects. It is an adept diver, spending an average of 12.5 seconds underwater during foraging dives.

Conservation status

The least grebe is currently classified as a species of Least Concern. However, it faces predation threats, particularly in the early stages of life, from large fish, turtles, and bird-eating raptors such as the bat falcon and the golden eagle.