Little Grebe

Little Grebe (Tachybaptus rufilocollis) is a common water bird found across ponds, lakes and marshlands across India and other countries in south Asia, Africa and some parts of Europe. It is also known as the Dabchick.

A pair of Little Grebe, at Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Delhi NCR

Little Grebe at Tal Chappar Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan

The Little Grebe is a small bird with a pointed beak and a fluffy rear end. During the breeding season, the male plumage is dark rufus, which gets replaced with a buff color during the winters. Juveniles have a yellow bill, which turns dark later on.

Little Grebe, Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Delhi NCR

Little Grebe, Surajpur Bird Sanctuary, Greater Noida

Though these birds are unable to walk well, they are expert swimmers and hunt their prey, mostly fish and aquatic invertebrates underwater. I have watched them dive for a long time, and surface at a different place, which show their endurance underwater.

Little Grebe, at the Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Delhi NCR

Little Grebe, at the Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Delhi NCR

They build nests at the edge of the water, hidden in vegetation. The chicks quickly take to water after hatching. Adults are known to carry young chicks on their backs while swimming. The Little Grebes breed during the rainy season in India.

A breeding pair of Little Grebes, Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Delhi NCR

Little Grebe, Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Delhi NCR

The images shown here are mostly from the Okhla Bird Sanctuary where they are found all round the year, but some are from other locations where I have gone for bird watching. 

Breeding pair of Little Grebes, Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Delhi NCR