Australasian Grebe
Non breeding plumage transitioning to breeding, Irvinebank, October 2026.
These birds are tiny at 250-270mm. You see them all over Australia and they can be very entertaining to watch. They are noticeable for their two distinct plumage phases. This bird breeds from September to March.
The easiest way to spot breeding for non breeding is the colour of the feathers on the face below the eye. If the feathers are white then the bird is non breeding. Secondly note the colour of the bill compared to the next photo.
Breeding plumage, Tarzali Lakes, May 2021.
With this breeding bird you can see that the feathers below the eye are black as is the bill…..despite this photo being taken in May, which should be well outside their breeding season.
When breeding they have a prominent chestnut patch that runs from the behind the eyes to the upper neck. The upper body parts are dark brown with pale chestnut flanks.
Breeding plumage, late April 2021.
During the breeding season after they have laid eggs the body colour appears to start to fade to a duller grey brown but the full face colour remains.
Silver Valley, October 2024.
The underparts of the bird are silver grey. Their primary and secondary feathers are white with brown tips.
Non breeding, Hastie’s Swamp, May 2023.
The eyes are bright orange-yellow with a bright yellow face patch below. When non breeding the face patch fades in colour.
Immature bird, Hastie’s Swamp, May 2023.
When my wife first saw an immature Grebe she thought it was the ugliest duckling she had ever seen. I think it is quite cute :)
They adult birds also do the cutest thing where they let the chicks ride on their back..
Wurruma Swamp, January 2024.
They live in sheltered fresh water areas with emergent vegetation. They make a floating nest anchored to rush cover and lay 4 to 7 eggs. The are quite common and usually sedentary.
Hasties Swamp, June 2021.
It is a poor flier and travels short distances by flight usually at night. I have never seen one in full flight during the day and have only seen them fly across the top of the water for short distances. They look more like they are running on the water than flying.
Hasties Swamp, June 2021.
It is not long before they give up the flying and return to their more comfortable state of being on and in the water. Very cute little birds.
Tarzali Lakes, May 2021.
They are also extremely shy birds and quickly swim away when disturbed. The Australasian Grebe is the smallest Grebe.
Diving and swimming underwater is the mode of movement that these little birds excel at. They are very busy constantly diving in the water chasing small fish and crustaceans. One minute you will see them on the surface and then with a splash………they are gone.