[order] Podicipediformes | [family] Podicipedidae | [latin] Tachybaptus dominicus | [UK] Least Grebe | [FR] Grebe minime | [DE] Schwarzkopftaucher | [ES] Zampullin Macacito | [IT] Svasso minore | [NL] Dwergfuut
Subspecies
| Genus | Species | subspecies | Breeding Range | Breeding Range 2 | Non Breeding Range |
| Podilymbus | dominicus | ||||
| Tachybaptus | dominicus | NA, LA | s Texas to n Argentina | ||
| Tachybaptus | dominicus | bangsi | w Mexico | ||
| Tachybaptus | dominicus | brachypterus | s Texas (USA) to wc Mexico and Panama | ||
| Tachybaptus | dominicus | brachyrhynchus | n South America to n Argentina | ||
| Tachybaptus | dominicus | dominicus | Greater Antilles | ||
| Tachybaptus | dominicus | eisenmanni | w Ecuador |
Physical charateristics
Small, stocky-bodied grebe with a short, thin bill and
Yellow eyes. Dark plumage, darker on the crown and back
White undertail coverts. Feet set far back on body and trail awkwardly behind body in flight. Sexes similar.
Yellow eyes. Dark plumage, darker on the crown and back
White undertail coverts. Feet set far back on body and trail awkwardly behind body in flight. Sexes similar.
Listen to the sound of Least Grebe
[audio:http://www.aviflevoland.nl/sounddb/L/Least Grebe.mp3]
Copyright remark: Most sounds derived from xeno-canto
| wingspan min.: | 48 | cm | wingspan max.: | 53 | cm |
| size min.: | 23 | cm | size max.: | 25 | cm |
| incubation min.: | 21 | days | incubation max.: | 22 | days |
| fledging min.: | 0 | days | fledging max.: | 0 | days |
| broods: | 2 | eggs min.: | 3 | ||
| eggs max.: | 6 |
Range
Very local, mainly in subtropical parts of the Americas. It may favour small temporary waters which lack predatory fish. It also occurs in swamps, shallow lakes, or oxbows, often almost overgrown with floating vegetation.
The least grebe is rare in freshwater swamps in Suriname near the coast. Birds have also been found in ponds or rivers farther in to the interior.
The least grebe is rare in freshwater swamps in Suriname near the coast. Birds have also been found in ponds or rivers farther in to the interior.
Habitat
Habitats include fresh and brackish water, from small ponds to lakes, ditches, marshes and slower moving parts of rivers.
Reproduction
Multi-brooded, will nest in any season if conditions are suitable. Lays 3 to 6 blue-white eggs that become nest staiined. Builds a foating nest of vegetation anchored to reeds. Incubation about 21 days.
Feeding habits
Eats aquatic insects, small fish, tadpoles, snails, and above water insects. Like all grebes, also eat their own feathers, which may protect the gastrointestinal track from sharp fish bones.
Conservation
This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 9,200,000 km