Photo: Marshelec / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
New Zealand Grebe
Poliocephalus rufopectus
New Zealand Grebe (Poliocephalus rufopectus) — Grebes, Loons & Flamingos of Australia & Oceania.
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The New Zealand Grebe (Poliocephalus rufopectus) is a member of the Podicipedidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 249 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 Poliocephalus
- Species rufopectus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 249 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Podicipedidae
- Order
- Podicipediformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The New Zealand 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 New Zealand Grebe is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The New Zealand Grebe (Poliocephalus rufopectus) is a member of the Podicipedidae family, within the order Podicipediformes. It occurs naturally across Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU North I. (New Zealand).
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 249 g, with a wing length of about 11.1 cm and a tail of around 3.1 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 88,000 km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the New Zealand Grebe?
The New Zealand Grebe is a large bird that weighs around 249 g.
Where does the New Zealand Grebe live?
The New Zealand Grebe is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU North I. (New Zealand), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the New Zealand Grebe belong to?
The New Zealand Grebe (Poliocephalus rufopectus) belongs to the Podicipedidae family, in the order Podicipediformes.
What does the New Zealand Grebe eat?
The New Zealand Grebe hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the New Zealand Grebe migrate?
The New Zealand Grebe is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the New Zealand 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.
How large is the New Zealand Grebe's range?
The New Zealand Grebe has a mapped global range of about 88,000 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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