Photo: JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/) / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Australasian Grebe
Tachybaptus novaehollandiae
Australasian Grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae) — Grebes, Loons & Flamingos of South & Southeast Asia.
Found across 10 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Australasian Grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae) is a member of the Podicipedidae family found in Australia & Oceania and South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 219 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Podicipediformes
- Family Podicipedidae Grebes
- Genus Tachybaptus
- Species novaehollandiae
Where it lives
Java, Sangihe and Talaud is. (north of Sulawesi), Timor (eastern Lesser Sundas), New Guinea, southeastern Bismarck Arch., Australia, New Zealand, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Rennell (southern Solomon Is.)
Quick facts
- Weight
- 219 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Podicipedidae
- Order
- Podicipediformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Endangered
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Australasian 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 Australasian Grebe is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Australasian Grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae) is a member of the Podicipedidae family, within the order Podicipediformes. Its range spans Australia & Oceania and South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR, AU Java, Sangihe and Talaud is. (n of Sulawesi), Timor (e Lesser Sundas), New Guinea, se Bismarck Arch., Australia, New Zealand, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Rennell (s Solomon Is.).
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 219 g, with a wing length of about 10.2 cm and a tail of around 2.7 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 3.1 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Australasian Grebe?
The Australasian Grebe is a large bird that weighs around 219 g.
Where does the Australasian Grebe live?
The Australasian Grebe is found across Australia & Oceania and South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR, AU Java, Sangihe and Talaud is. (n of Sulawesi), Timor (e Lesser Sundas), New Guinea, se Bismarck Arch., Australia, New Zealand, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Rennell (s Solomon Is.), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Australasian Grebe belong to?
The Australasian Grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae) belongs to the Podicipedidae family, in the order Podicipediformes.
What does the Australasian Grebe eat?
The Australasian Grebe hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Australasian Grebe migrate?
The Australasian Grebe is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Australasian Grebe endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Australasian Grebe make?
1 real field recording of the Australasian Grebe — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Australasian Grebe's range?
The Australasian Grebe has a mapped global range of about 3.1 million km².
Conservation
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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