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Tachybaptus novaehollandiae
Also called Little Grebe. Small water bird, males have small golden eye patch on each side (between eye and beak) and chestnut patch at back of head brighter in breeding season as with rest of feathers, females look similar but not as bright and slightly smaller, feet medium webbed, eyes light golden colour, feeds on aquatic organisms and plant material.
Found throughout much of Australia except sections of the very arid western regions. These birds on town water supply dam.
Spotted on Dec 27, 2013
Submitted on Jan 28, 2014
2 Comments
Very similar, only slightest variation and possible overlap of range in Pacific islands. Little Grebe in Australia would be unofficial common name, layman terms for similar looking birds. These ones found in Australia, New Zealand & nearby Pacific islands & New Guinea, T. rufocollis in northern parts of the world but sometimes appears in Australia. For the most part they are referred to as separate species. Seems many birds have slight to major variations within species dependent on their range/habitat, then there's the defining line/identifying marker that determines whether it becomes a new or different species.
Very similar to the European species,Tachybaptus ruficollis, also called Little Grebe.