Least grebe
Least grebe | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Podicipediformes |
Family: | Podicipedidae |
Genus: | Tachybaptus |
Species: | T. dominicus
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Binomial name | |
Tachybaptus dominicus (Linnaeus, 1766)
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Range of T. dominicus Subspecies separated by black lines | |
Synonyms | |
Colymbus dominicus Linnaeus, 1766 |
The least grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus), an
Description
The least grebe ranges in length from 21–27 cm (8.3–10.6 in) (depending on the subspecies) and in weight from 112–180 g (4.0–6.3 oz).[2] Weights are variable based on region and subspecies, being smaller in Panama, where males weighed a mean of 129 g (4.6 oz) against the females 116 g (4.1 oz) and larger in the West Indies, where the sexes weigh a mean of 161 g (5.7 oz) and 133 g (4.7 oz), respectively. In Texas, size is intermediate at 139 g (4.9 oz) and 122 g (4.3 oz). Even in the largest races, the least grebe is still smaller and lighter than any other grebe species.[3] Like all grebes, its legs are set far back on its body and it cannot walk well, though it is an excellent swimmer and diver. Small and plump, with a fairly short, sharp-pointed beak and bright yellow eyes, it typically appears quite dark all over.
The breeding adult is brownish grey above with a darker blackish crown and throat. It has a brownish chest and pale underparts. It shows a white wing patch in flight. Non-breeding birds are paler with a whitish throat, and immatures are paler and greyer than adults. Unlike all other members of its genus, it lacks any chestnut coloring on its neck.
Taxonomy
There are five recognized subspecies of least grebe, separated principally by size and color.[4][5]
- T. d. brachypterus – (Chapman, 1899): is found from southern Texas and Mexico south to Panama.
- T. d. bangsi – (van Rossem & Hachisuka, 1937): is restricted to southern Baja California, Mexico. It is the smallest and palest of the subspecies.
- T. d. dominicus – (nominate, is found in the northern Caribbean, including the Bahamas, Greater Antilles, Virgin Islands and southern Florida.
- T. d. brachyrhynchus or T. d. speciosus – (Chapman, 1899): is found in South America, from Colombia, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago south to northern Argentina and southern Brazil.
- T. d. eisenmanni – Storer & Getty, 1985: is restricted to the lowlands of western Ecuador. This subspecies is not recognized by all authorities.
Its genus name, Tachybaptus, is a combination of two Greek words—takhus meaning fast and baptos meaning diving, or sinking under.[6] The specific name dominicus refers to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, which was formerly known as Santo Domingo.[6] As its English name suggests, the least grebe is overall the smallest member of the grebe family. It is the only member of its genus found in the New World; the four other members of the genus Tachybaptus reside in the Old World and Australasia.
Habitat and range
Least grebes are found in a wide variety of wetland habitats, including freshwater ponds, lakes, and marshes, slow-flowing streams and rivers, roadside ditches, and mangrove swamps.[4][7] In general, they prefer bodies of water with significant amounts of vegetative cover, particularly along the edges; they will even use wetlands which are almost completely overgrown.[4] They may choose small, temporary bodies of water to breed, in an effort to avoid predation of their chicks by large fish.[8]
Behavior
For much of the year, least grebes are found singly or in pairs; however, when not breeding, they sometimes gather in flocks of 20 or more.[9]
Diet
The least grebe eats a variety of aquatic life, including small
Breeding
Least grebes breed throughout the year.
Voice
The breeding call has been likened to a horse whinnying.
Threats
The least grebe, while a
References
Notes
- . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ Ogilvie & Rose 2003, p. 92
- ISBN 978-1-4200-6444-5.
- ^ a b c Ogilvie & Rose 2003, p. 32
- .
- ^ a b Ogilvie & Rose 2003, p. 98
- ISBN 978-0-19-854012-0.
- ^ a b c Ogilvie & Rose 2003, p. 34
- ISBN 978-0-7136-6418-8.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8014-2287-4.
- JSTOR 4083516.
Bibliography
- ffrench, Richard; O'Neill, John Patton; Eckelberry, Don R. (1991). A Guide to the Birds of Trinidad and Tobago (2nd ed.). Ithaca, N.Y.: Comstock Publishing. ISBN 978-0-8014-9792-6.
- Ogilvie, Malcolm; Rose, Chris (2003). Grebes of the World. Uxbridge, UK: Bruce Coleman. ISBN 978-1-872842-03-5.
External links
- "Least grebe media". Internet Bird Collection.
- Least grebe photo gallery at VIREO (Drexel University)
- Audio recordings of Least grebe on Xeno-canto.
- Least Grebe Stamps at bird-stamps.org[usurped]
- BirdLife species factsheet for Tachybaptus dominicus
- Least grebe species account at Neotropical Birds (Cornell Lab of Ornithology)