Water for the environment: wetlands

	Wetlands Facts about Wetlands Wetland Plants and Animals Birds   Search:  [ HOME ] [ CONTACT ]		The Birds of NSW Wetlands - Grebes Order - Podicipedidae General Characteristics Australasian Grebe Hoary-headed Grebe Great Crested Grebe References and Further Reading General Characteristics: Diving birds. Their most diagnostic feature is their peculiarly lobed feet placed near their almost tail-less rear. Generally only leave the water to go to their floating nests. [ TOP ] Australasian Grebe Tachybaptus novaehollandiae General Characteristics: Grey speckled plumage with white chest. Glossy black head, with a chestnut patch behind the eyes. Black bill with a white tip. Males are larger and have longer bills. Diet: Midge larvae, zooplankton, damsefly nymphs, water boatman, aquatic beetles, larvae of nymphulid butterfiles, caddisfly larvae, midges, fishes. Habitat: Tends to prefer sheltered freshwater wetlands. Distribution in NSW: Distribution extends throughout NSW. [ TOP ] Hoary-headed Grebe Poliocephalus poliocephalus General Characteristics: Endemic to Australia. Light grey back, white below. Black crown and throat, with white and grey face. Construct floating nests using algae and other water plants. Diet: Water boatman, beetle larvae, aquatic beetles, larvae of nymphulid butterfiles, molluscs, fish. Habitat: Can be found in both fresh and saline waters throughout Australia. Distribution in NSW: Found throughout NSW. [ TOP ] Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus Source: MDBC General Characteristics: A diving bird characterised by a distinctive crest that is copper at the base and black at the tips. Has a very dark brown back and a white chest and face. Has an elaborate courtship display. Nests on a raft of water plants. Both sexes incubate eggs and feed the young. Diet: Plant material, insects and larvae, molluscs, fish, snails and tadpoles. Habitat: Prefers wetlands characterised by open water with protected edges. Distribution in NSW: Found throughout NSW. [ TOP ] References and Further Reading Fjeldsa, J. 1983. Grebes. Family: Podicipedidae. In "Wetlands in New South Wales". (Ed C. Haigh). National Parks and Wildlife Service, NSW. Readers Digest. 1988. Readers Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds. Reader’s Digest, Sydney.
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