Tachybaptus novaehollandiae

1 Australasian Grebe at Red Hill, ACT

Tachybaptus novaehollandiae at Red Hill, ACT - 23 Feb 2019
Tachybaptus novaehollandiae at Red Hill, ACT - 23 Feb 2019
Tachybaptus novaehollandiae at Red Hill, ACT - 23 Feb 2019
Tachybaptus novaehollandiae at Red Hill, ACT - 23 Feb 2019
Tachybaptus novaehollandiae at Red Hill, ACT - 23 Feb 2019
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Identification history

Tachybaptus novaehollandiae 27 Feb 2019 ArcherCallaway
Tachybaptus novaehollandiae 26 Feb 2019 BIrdsinCanberra

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User's notes

There were 2 adults with 3 chicks. One of the chicks appeared to be able to feed itself as it seemed to be diving underwater, although it did not appear to stay down for long. The other 2 chicks seemed to follow only one parent around each. These 2 chicks were making a constant single note call while they trailed their respective adult. The adult would dive, leaving the chick on the surface making the same cry but at a slower rate. There would normally be some distance between them, so both birds would swim towards the other. They may have been exchanging solid food as their beaks were pointing down. Once the food was in, the chick would start the rapid cry again and the adult, after not much time on the surface would dive again. The adults seemed to keep this going for at least 20 minutes. One mature bird became very aggressive to some ducks at one stage. Chasing one duck across the pond, the last photo I have posted.

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  • True Nesting site

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