Least Grebe

Tachybaptus dominicusOrder: PODICIPEDIFORMESFamily: Grebes (Podicipedidae)
Least Grebe Head Illustration

Head

  • Bill Shape: Dagger, All-purpose
  • Eye color: Yellow iris
  • Head Pattern: Plain
  • Crown color: Black
  • Forehead color: Black
  • Nape Color: Black
  • Throat color: Black
  • Cere color:
Least Grebe Body Illustration

Body

  • Length Range: 23-25 cm (9-10 in)
  • Weight: 128 g (4.5 oz)
  • Size: Size 3. Medium (9 - 16 in)
  • Color: White, Black, Gray
  • Underparts: White
  • Upperparts: Black
  • Back Pattern: Solid
  • Belly Pattern: Mottled
  • Breast Pattern: Solid
Least Grebe Flight Illustration

Flight

  • Flight Pattern: Direct flight with strenuously rapid wing beats
  • Wingspan Range: 48-53 cm (19-21 in)
  • Wing Shape: Pointed-Wings
  • Tail Shape: Rounded Tail
  • Tail Pattern: Solid
  • Upper Tail: Gray-black
  • Under Tail: White
  • Leg color: Black, Gray
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Family Grebe (Podicipedidae)_blue
Species Tachybaptus dominicus
Length9 - 10 Inches
Wingspan20 Inches

Least Grebe

Least Grebe: Smallest of North America's grebes. Eyes dark yellow , plumage is dark black-gray, white undertail coverts and white wing patch in flight. Black bill. In winter shows white throat, in summer a dark throat. Seldom fly, rarely leave nesting places. When not nesting found in small flocks.

● Song: "beeeeek", "vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv"

● Foraging & Feeding: Least Grebe: Eats insects, primarily aquatic, small fish, tadpoles, snails, and above water insects. Like all grebes, also eat their own feathers, which may protect the gastrointestinal track from sharp fish bones.

● Breeding & nesting: Least Grebe: Multi-brooded, will nest in any season if conditions are suitable. Lays two to seven white to pale blue green eggs. Builds a floating nest of vegetation anchored to reeds. Incubation lasts for 21 days and is carried out by both parents.

● Similar species: Least Grebe: Pied-billed Grebe is smilar but has a thicker bill and brown crown, nape and back and darker eyes. Other grebes are larger and have very different plumage.

Flight Pattern

Direct flight with strenuously rapid wing beats
Least Grebe Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Least Grebe: Found in southern Texas, Mexico, Rio Grande valley, Baja California, Arizona, Louisiana, South Florida, Central America and northern Argentina. Habitats include fresh and brackish water, from small ponds to lakes, ditches, marshes and slower moving parts of rivers.
BreedingMonogamous, Loose colonies
Population
MigrationNonmigratory
Weight4.5 Ounces