- Tachybaptus
Taxobox
name = Tachybaptus
image_caption = Little Grebe
regnum =Animal ia
phylum = Chordata
classis =Aves
ordo = Podicipediformes
familia =Podicipedidae
genus = " Tachybaptus "
genus_authority = Reichenbach, 1853
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = See text."Tachybaptus" is a genus of small members of the
grebe family birds. It has representatives over much of the world, including the tropics.These grebes breed in small colonies in heavily vegetated areas of freshwater lakes. They may move to more open or coastal waters when not breeding, and birds in those areas where the waters freeze may be migratory.
Like all grebes, they nest on the water's edge, since the legs are set very far back and they cannot walk well. The striped young are sometimes carried on the adult's back.
These small grebes are excellent swimmers and divers, and pursue their
fish prey underwater. Indeed, the name "Tachybaptus" literally means "quick diving" (from the Greek for "quick" and "to dip").The sexes are similar, dumpy and short-billed with a “powder puff” rear end. Adults have a distinctive breeding plumage and loud breeding calls. In winter, they are grey and white.
The four Old World species are closely related to each and at least three have interbred. Unlike these, the
Least Grebe lacks chestnut colouring on the neck, and has formerly been placed in at least three other genera.pecies
*
Little Grebe , "Tachybaptus ruficollis"
*Australasian Grebe "Tachybaptus novaehollandiae"
*Madagascar Grebe , "Tachybaptus pelzelnii "
*Alaotra Grebe (Rusty Grebe), "Tachybaptus rufolavatus" - probably extinct (late 1980s)
*Least Grebe , "Tachybaptus dominicus "References
* Olgilvie and Rose, "Grebes of the World" ISBN 1-872842-03-8
* Harrison, Peter "Seabirds: An Identification Guide" ISBN 0-7470-1410-8
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