Photo: Fernando Pérez Peralta / CC0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Silvery Grebe
Podiceps occipitalis
Silvery Grebe (Podiceps occipitalis) — Grebes, Loons & Flamingos of South America.
Found across 5 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
See what's near you right nowThe Silvery Grebe (Podiceps occipitalis) is a member of the Podicipedidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 321 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 Podiceps
- Species occipitalis
Where it lives
Montane lakes of central Andes of Colombia to northern Chile and northwestern Argentina; central, southern Chile and Argentina to Tierra del Fuego; Falkland Is.
Quick facts
- Weight
- 321 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Podicipedidae
- Order
- Podicipediformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Critically Endangered
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Silvery 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 Silvery Grebe is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Silvery Grebe (Podiceps occipitalis) is a member of the Podicipedidae family, within the order Podicipediformes. It is found across South America. Its distribution covers SA montane lakes of c Andes of Colombia to n Chile and nw Argentina; c, s Chile and Argentina to Tierra del Fuego; Falkland Is.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 321 g, with a wing length of about 12.6 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.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 1.8 million km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Silvery Grebe?
The Silvery Grebe is a large bird that weighs around 321 g.
Where does the Silvery Grebe live?
The Silvery Grebe is found across South America with a range covering SA montane lakes of c Andes of Colombia to n Chile and nw Argentina; c, s Chile and Argentina to Tierra del Fuego; Falkland Is, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Silvery Grebe belong to?
The Silvery Grebe (Podiceps occipitalis) belongs to the Podicipedidae family, in the order Podicipediformes.
What does the Silvery Grebe eat?
The Silvery Grebe hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Silvery Grebe migrate?
The Silvery Grebe is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Silvery 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 Silvery Grebe's range?
The Silvery Grebe has a mapped global range of about 1.8 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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