Little grebes: the wary divers of our dams

Nature Watch with Don McGlusky of Diddillibah

Little grebes can be found in most areas in Australia where there are bodies of open water such as swamps and dams where there is a good supply of water plants. 

They are also found in parts of New Guinea, Solomon Islands and some areas of Indonesia.  

An unusual characteristic is that they eat their own feathers and even feed them to their chicks. It apparently forms part of the process of digesting fish bones, their food being aquatic insects and fish. Breeding season is between September and January. 

The nest is constructed of aquatic weeds thus forming a floating platform. Up to six eggs form a clutch which are pale blue. In good conditions up to three broods can occur in a season. 

They are very wary birds and at the slightest fear of danger they quickly cover the eggs with weeds and disappear under water where they can remain for a long period of time before resurfacing. They are the most vocal of all the Grebe species with a shrill single sharp note or a trill. The photo was taken on a very old and mature dam near Beerwah. 

The photo was taken on a very old and mature dam near Beerwah.