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Hoary-headed GrebeAlternative names: "Tom Pudding", "Dabchick*" Size: 29-30 cm |
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Taxonomy, classification |
See Hoary-headed Grebe
at Wikipedia 
.
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Range, habitat |
(for details refer to a field guide) |
Hoary-headed Grebes are endemic to Australia. They can be found basically anywhere on the Australian continent, including Tasmania, wherever there is surface water.
Hoary-headed Grebes mostly live in swamps around lakes and ponds, but also in estuaries. Although in principle also present in the arid centre, they will stay there only if/when there is reliable surface water, e.g. in permanent waterholes in rivers or on farm dams.
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Sightings |
A Hoary-headed Grebe was first seen by us on a dam near Watson's Creek, NSW, north of Tamworth, in July 2009.
Spotted again in July 2010 at Narrabri Lake, Narrabri, NSW.
A much larger number of birds was found by us at Dangar's Lagoon, Uralla, NSW, in March 2012.
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Photos |
Lateral view of a Hoary-headed Grebe in breeding plumage
Hoary-headed Grebes in breeding plumage
Hoary-headed Grebes, part of which are in breeding plumage (grey head),
whereas others are in non-breeding plumage (black-striped head); for
comparison, there is an
Australasian Grebe in breeding plumage in the foreground
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Food |
Hoary-headed Grebes dive to catch their prey, small aquatic creatures including crustaceans.
