- Tachybaptus ruficollis
Other Names
Dabchick; German: Zwergtaucher; Afrikaans: Kleindobertjie
Identification
The smallest Old World grebe, swims buoyantly and has a characteristic fluffy appearance. Adult breeding: dark greyish-brown above, paler below with tawny flanks. Crown hindneck blackish with throat, ear coverts, sides and front of neck chestnut. Bill black with white tip and yellow gape patch, legs olive-green. Adult non-breeding: Duller and paler, more olive-brown and chestnut relaced with whitish-brown. Yellow gape patch absent. Juvenile: like non-breeding adult but with striped head. Small size distinguishes from most other grebes in range. Length 23-29cm. Wingspan 42cm.
Subspecies
About nine subspecies recognised. Nominate race occurs in Europe, Turkey and north-west Africa, capensis (larger with more white in wing) in Egypt, sub-Saharan Africa and Asia from the Caucasus to Burma, iraquensis (with indistinct white wing-bar) in Iraq and south-west Iran, poggei in Japan, China, Taiwan and Malaysia, kunikyonis in the central Ryukyu Islands, philippensis on some of the Philippines, cotabato on Mindanao, vulcanorum on islands from Java to Timor and the Kai Islands and tricolor in Sulawesi, the Moluccas and northern New Guinea Islands.
Distribution
Common and widespread in the Old World. Breeds widely across Europe from Iberia, the British Isles and southern Scandinavia eastwards including parts of Turkey and the Middle East. Breeds across southern Asia including much of India and Indochina to China, Korea and Japan. Has a scattered distribution in the Philippines, Indonesia (rare breeder on Java and Bali) and New Guinea. In Africa breeds across the north-west and in the Nile Delta and widespread south of the Sahara absent only from the driest or most heavily forested areas. Vagrants recorded on the Azores, Madeira and Canary Islands. Mainly resident with northernmost populations migratory or dispersive.
Habitat
Well-vegetated ponds and lakes, mainly in lowland areas. More coastal in winter and often on estuaries but rarely the open sea. More sociable in winter.
Diet
It is an excellent swimmer and diver, and pursues its fish prey such as small fish and aquatic invertebrates underwater.
Breeding
Season varies with latitude, usually begins mid-April in Europe. Nest is a heap of vegetation in reed beds or other marginal vegetation. Eggs: 4-6 (rarely 2-10), whitish initially soon becoming stained (38 x 26mm). Incubated by both sexes for 19-25 days. Young tended by both sexes but male may take over while female begins new nest. Independent at 42 days, fly at 44-46 days. Double-brooded, possibly treble-brooded at times.
Voice
Characteristic whit-whit and in breeding season utters a whinnying trill, sometimes in duet.
Bird Song
<flashmp3>Tachybaptus ruficollis (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
