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Least Grebe Tachybaptus dominicus Tigua,
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Photo: B. Hallett
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IDENTIFICATION: A small, diving bird with a thin, dark bill, a dark body, and a yellow eye; in flight a large, white wing-patch is visible. Length: 21-26 cm.; weight: 116-133 g. VOICE: A variety of low-pitched squawking notes; begging chicks make a persistent "cheep" call. Audio (G. Lasley). HABITAT: Forages in freshwater ponds, canals and temporary pools with thick floating vegetation. HABITS: Dives for aquatic beetles, dragonfly larvae, waterbugs, and other insects, plus crustaceans, tadpoles and small fish. Most of its food is swallowed underwater, but it sometimes catches perched or low-flying dragonflies. It can be hard to see as it navigates among marsh plants, and does not venture into open water as often as ducks or other common waterbirds. Grebes feet are set so far back on the body that they cannot walk upright. Mating displays include a dance in which a pair runs across the water, side by side. The nest is a floating mat of decaying vegetation, with 4-5 eggs. Both the male and female incubate the eggs for about 21 days, and both sexes care for the young. Soon after hatching, the chicks leave the nest on one parents back while the other parent forages for food. STATUS AND CONSERVATION: An uncommon, permanent resident, found locally in lowland Puerto Rico. Drainage of wetlands in the last century has destroyed much habitat for both grebe species, and egg collecting was a serious threat. However, grebes have adapted well to wetland restoration efforts. RANGE: From southern Texas through lowland Central America and the Caribbean to northern Argentina and Uruguay. A regular location for this species is the small ponds north of Caño Tiburones Nature Reserve. It is easiest to see after ponds' water levels rise with the heavy rains of late summer and fall. TAXONOMY: PODICIPEDIFORMES; PODICIPEDIDAE |
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