Little Grebe

Tachybaptus ruficollis (Pallas, 1764)

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis breeds across the Palearctic, Africa and the Oriental Region, from Europe apart from the far north through central, southern and eastern Asia to the Philippines, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, and also in Africa and the Malagasy region. It is the smallest European, Asian and African grebe, and is usually found on open water. In breeding plumage it shows dark upperparts with a rufous neck, cheeks and flanks, while winter birds are paler with a darker back and cap.

Order

Podicipediformes

Family

Podicipedidae — Grebes

Breeding range

Palearctic, Africa, Oriental Region: Europe (except n) to c, s, e Asia, Philippines, New Guinea and Solomon Is.; Africa and Malagasy region