Tachybaptus is a genus of small members of the grebe family birds. It has representatives over much of the world, including the tropics.
| Tachybaptus | |
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| Little Grebe | |
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| Genus: | Tachybaptus Reichenbach, 1853
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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.
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.
Species
- Little Grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis
- Australasian Grebe Tachybaptus novaehollandiae
- Madagascar Grebe, Tachybaptus pelzelnii
- Alaotra Grebe (Rusty Grebe), Tachybaptus rufolavatus - probably extinct (late 1980s)
- Least Grebe, Tachybaptus dominicus
References
- Seabirds by Harrison, ISBN 0-7470-8028-8