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Photo: Tsirtalis / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Titicaca Grebe

Rollandia microptera

Titicaca Grebe (Rollandia microptera) — Grebes, Loons & Flamingos of South America.

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The Titicaca Grebe (Rollandia microptera) is a member of the Podicipedidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 706 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Endangered.

EN Endangered

Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.

Where it fits

  1. Class Aves
  2. Order Podicipediformes
  3. Family Podicipedidae Grebes
  4. Genus Rollandia
  5. Species microptera

Where it lives

Montane lakes from Lake Titicaca and nearby lakes (southeastern Peru) to lakes Uru Uru and Poopó (west-central Bolivia)

Quick facts

Weight
706 g
Family
Podicipedidae

How to identify

Similar birds

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Titicaca Grebe hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Behaviour

A bird of wetlands, it swims and feeds in and around water.

Migration

The Titicaca Grebe is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The Titicaca Grebe (Rollandia microptera) is a species of bird in the Podicipedidae family, part of the order Podicipediformes. Its range spans South America. Its distribution covers SA montane lakes from Lake Titicaca and nearby lakes (se Peru) to lakes Uru Uru and Poopó (wc Bolivia).

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 706 g, with a wing length of about 11.8 cm and a tail of around 2.9 cm.

It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.

Its mapped global range covers an estimated 49,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.

Songs & calls

Titicaca Grebe — Call

Recorded by Andrew Spencer Licence: CC BY-NC-ND 2.5

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Titicaca Grebe?

The Titicaca Grebe is a large bird that weighs around 706 g.

Where does the Titicaca Grebe live?

The Titicaca Grebe is found across South America with a range covering SA montane lakes from Lake Titicaca and nearby lakes (se Peru) to lakes Uru Uru and Poopó (wc Bolivia), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Titicaca Grebe belong to?

The Titicaca Grebe (Rollandia microptera) belongs to the Podicipedidae family, in the order Podicipediformes.

What does the Titicaca Grebe eat?

The Titicaca Grebe hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Does the Titicaca Grebe migrate?

The Titicaca Grebe is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

Is the Titicaca Grebe endangered?

It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.

What sound does the Titicaca Grebe make?

1 real field recording of the Titicaca Grebe — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.

How large is the Titicaca Grebe's range?

The Titicaca Grebe has a mapped global range of about 49,000 km².

Conservation

Endangered

Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.

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