Fairly common on lakes, reservoirs, and along larger rivers, mainly with bordering reeds where it builds a floating nest platform.
TAS: Vulnerable
Indigenous: Crested Grebe, Diver, Tippet Grebe, Loon, Gaunt, Carr Goose
At a glance
FamilyGrebes
SizeLarge
RarityCommon
Habitatsparse woodland, waterbodies, open woodland, grassland, and herbaceous graminoids sparse hummock grasses
Best timeMost reliable in Victoria from November to February.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Ulf Elman
Range map
Range map
200approx hotspots
73101approx records
6states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
In winter sometimes seen on inshore ocean waters (mainly in freezing weather). Large, elegant, and long-necked grebe. Breeding plumage has beautiful tawny cheeks and black crests (often held flat). In nonbreeding plumage, face and neck bright white with dark line through eye.
Behavior
Breeding pairs are territorial, but flocks form in winter.
Gallery
Regional timing
New South Wales
Western Australia
Victoria
South Australia
Queensland
Tasmania
Australian Capital Territory
Northern Territory