Photo: Hector Bottai / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Least Grebe
Tachybaptus dominicus
Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus) — Grebes, Loons & Flamingos of North America.
Found across 10 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus) is a member of the Podicipedidae family found in Central America & Caribbean, North America and South America. Adults weigh 133 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 dominicus
Where it lives
Southern Texas and northwestern Mexico to northern Argentina
Quick facts
- Weight
- 133 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Podicipedidae
- Order
- Podicipediformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Least 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 Least Grebe is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus) is a species of bird in the Podicipedidae family, part of the order Podicipediformes. It occurs naturally across Central America & Caribbean, North America and South America. Its distribution covers NA, MA, SA s Texas and nw Mexico to n Argentina.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 133 g, with a wing length of about 9.7 cm and a tail of around 2.3 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 9.2 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Least Grebe?
The Least Grebe is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 133 g.
Where does the Least Grebe live?
The Least Grebe is found across Central America & Caribbean, North America and South America with a range covering NA, MA, SA s Texas and nw Mexico to n Argentina, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Least Grebe belong to?
The Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus) belongs to the Podicipedidae family, in the order Podicipediformes.
What does the Least Grebe eat?
The Least Grebe hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Least Grebe migrate?
The Least Grebe is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Least 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 Least Grebe make?
1 real field recording of the Least Grebe — including its begging call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Least Grebe's range?
The Least Grebe has a mapped global range of about 9.2 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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