Little Grebe Did you see this animal?
Scientific Name : Tachybaptus ruficollis
Family : Podicipedidae
Order : Podicipediformes
Class : Aves
Phylum : Chordata
Habitat : Wetlands
Description : The Little Grebe is a small waterbird that loves to dive often (adult bird length approximately 23 cm, wing 10 cm, bill 2 cm, tarsus 3.2 cm, tail 2.8 cm). The breeding adult looks dark brown. It has rufous cheek, throat and sides of the neck. The base of its bill has a prominent yellow patch. It feeds on fish, frogs, tadpoles, insects and small crustaceans. The little grebe is highly proficient in swimming and diving, allowing it to effectively pursue fish and aquatic invertebrates beneath the water's surface. It demonstrates adeptness in utilizing vegetation as camouflage, using it skillfully as a hiding spot.
Similar to other grebe species, the little grebe constructs its nests at the water's edge. This is due to its legs being positioned far back, limiting its walking ability. Typically, the bird lays a clutch of four to seven eggs. When the adult bird departs from the nest, it takes precautions to conceal the eggs with weeds, reducing the likelihood of predation.
The hatchlings are capable of swimming shortly after they emerge from their shells, and it is not uncommon for them to be carried on the backs of the swimming adults. In India, this species breeds during the rainy season.
Similar to other grebe species, the little grebe constructs its nests at the water's edge. This is due to its legs being positioned far back, limiting its walking ability. Typically, the bird lays a clutch of four to seven eggs. When the adult bird departs from the nest, it takes precautions to conceal the eggs with weeds, reducing the likelihood of predation.
The hatchlings are capable of swimming shortly after they emerge from their shells, and it is not uncommon for them to be carried on the backs of the swimming adults. In India, this species breeds during the rainy season.
Distribution in Bangladesh
Other Species from Group
Species groups
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Bee-eaters -
Booby -
frigatebird -
phalarope -
tropicbird -
Martins and Swallows -
Crows, Drongos & allies -
Woodpeckers -
Eared Nightjars -
Ibises & Spoonbills -
Trogons -
Coucals -
Pelicans -
Darters -
Gulls -
Warblers and allies -
Flowerpeckers & Sunbirds -
Sparrows, Wagtails, Pipits a& allies -
moonbird -
Hawks & Eagles -
Snipes, Sandpipers, Plovers & allies -
Small Kingfishers -
Cisticola & Prinia -
Plovers & Lapwings -
Rails, Gallinules & Coots -
Tits -
Parrots -
Rosefinches and Buntings -
Bustards -
Grebes -
Pheasants & Partridges -
Old World flycatcher -
Starlings and Mynas -
Hornbills -
Buttonquails -
Rollers -
Bluebirds -
Crested Kingfishers -
Cormorants -
Pigeons and Doves -
Jacanas -
Typical Owl -
Finfoots &booby -
Flamingo -
Herons and Bitterns -
Treecreepers -
Nuthatch -
Barbets -
Treeswifts -
Swifts -
Crab-plovers, Coursers and Pratincoles -
Bulbuls -
Frogmouths -
Larks -
Storks -
Broadbills -
Thick-knees -
Painted-snipes -
Nightjars -
Barn-owls -
Large-billed Kingfishers -
Falcons -
Pittas -
Cranes -
Whistling-ducks -
Ducks, Geese & Swans -
Hoopoe
References:
description written by:Fatema-Tuz-Zohora,Department of Zoology, Jagannath University,Dhaka;information source: Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh, Vol-26, iucnredlist.org;Photo credit and copyright:MSH Sourav (TU Dresden, Germany);taxonomic checklist:P. M. Thompson and S. U. Chowdhury (2020). A checklist of birds of Bangladesh.Birds Bangladesh;bird song owner:James Lidster(www.xeno-canto.org/James Lidster), bird sound copyright reserved according to www.xeno-canto.org rules; more information, please contact us.
description written by:Fatema-Tuz-Zohora,Department of Zoology, Jagannath University,Dhaka;information source: Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh, Vol-26, iucnredlist.org;Photo credit and copyright:MSH Sourav (TU Dresden, Germany);taxonomic checklist:P. M. Thompson and S. U. Chowdhury (2020). A checklist of birds of Bangladesh.Birds Bangladesh;bird song owner:James Lidster(www.xeno-canto.org/James Lidster), bird sound copyright reserved according to www.xeno-canto.org rules; more information, please contact us.