- Rollandia rolland
Identification
Sometimes called Golden Grebe
L. 28-36 cm
- Medium-sized
- Prominent crest on rear crown
Adult Breeding
- Blackish-brown above
- Glossed green
- Rufous rump
- Chestnut below
- Flanks mottled blackish
- White below
- Black head and neck
- Narrow white line over eye broadening to white fan behind eye
- Red eye
- Black bill and legs
Adult Non-breeding
- Blackish-brown upperparts and crest
- Browner, tinged reddish, neck and breast
- Whitish throat and underparts
- Lacks crest
Juvenile
Similar to non-breeding adult but bill browner and has stripes across cheeks.
Flight
Shows broad white bar on trailing edge of secondaries.
Distribution
South America from Peru, Bolivia and southern Brazil south to Tierra del Fuego, also breeds on the Falkland Islands.
Taxonomy
Three subspecies are recognised, differing mainly in size. Nominate race, rolland (largest) is found on the Falkland Islands, chilensis (smallest) from 100S in Peru south to Tierra del Fuego and from southern Brazil and Paraguay southwards, and morrisoni (intermediate) in the highlands of Peru and Bolivia.
Habitat
Upland and lowland ponds and rivers, sometimes on estuarine waters and sheltered bays in non-breeding season.
Behaviour
Breeding
Mid-October to January in Falkland Islands. Nest is a heap of floating vegetation in rushes or under a streamside overhang. Eggs: 1-3, whitish initially soon becoming stained.
Diet
Small fish, crustaceans and aquatic plants taken in 15-20 second dives.
Voice
Creaking and jarring calls when breeding.
