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Titicaca Grebe - BirdForum Opus

Alternative name: Short-winged Grebe

Rollandia microptera
Photo by dubi
Location: Lake Titicaca, Peru

Identification

L. 28cm

  • Medium sized
  • Flightless
  • Crest and cheek tufts
  • Dark brown streaked black on back
  • Shades to chestnut at rear
  • White below
  • Chestnut streaking on breast-sides and flanks
  • Blackish forehead, crown and crest
  • Dark brown hindneck
  • Blackish lores, ear coverts, and cheek tufts
  • White chin and throat
  • Red-brown bill
  • Blackish legs

Adult Non-breeding: Similar to breeding adult but crest and plumes reduced and blackish plumage replaced with dull brown and cinnamon on hindneck.

Distribution

Peru and Bolivia: limited to Lake Titicaca and one additional small lake nearby; it is endangered.

Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species.

Habitat

Highland lakes.

Behaviour

Often runs across water with wings flapping but is flightless.

The diet includes fish.

2-4 eggs are laid.

References

  1. Clements, James F. 2007. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2007. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. ISBN 9780801445019

Recommended Citation

External Links

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