Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollis
Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) — Grebes, Loons & Flamingos of Europe & Northern Asia.
Found across 10 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) is a member of the Podicipedidae family found in Africa, Europe & Northern Asia and South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 169 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 ruficollis
Where it lives
Europe (except northern) to central, southern, eastern Asia, Philippines, New Guinea and Solomon Is.; Africa and Malagasy region
Quick facts
- Weight
- 169 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Podicipedidae
- Order
- Podicipediformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Endangered
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Little 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 Little Grebe is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) belongs to the Podicipedidae family of the order Podicipediformes. Its range spans Africa, Europe & Northern Asia and South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers PAL, AF, OR Europe (except n) to c, s, e Asia, Philippines, New Guinea and Solomon Is.; Africa and Malagasy region.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 169 g, with a wing length of about 10 cm and a tail of around 2.9 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 36.6 million km² — a very large global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Little Grebe?
The Little Grebe is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 169 g.
Where does the Little Grebe live?
The Little Grebe is found across Africa, Europe & Northern Asia and South & Southeast Asia with a range covering PAL, AF, OR Europe (except n) to c, s, e Asia, Philippines, New Guinea and Solomon Is.; Africa and Malagasy region, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Little Grebe belong to?
The Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) belongs to the Podicipedidae family, in the order Podicipediformes.
What does the Little Grebe eat?
The Little Grebe hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Little Grebe migrate?
The Little Grebe is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Little 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 Little Grebe make?
1 real field recording of the Little 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 Little Grebe's range?
The Little Grebe has a mapped global range of about 36.6 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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