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Least Grebe

Tachybaptus dominicus

Least Concern · IUCN Red List

LCLeast ConcernInvertebratesWetlandPlatform nestMedium · 133 g
Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus), photo 1
Photo: atlnature · CC BY 4.0
Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus), photo 2
Photo: christoph_moning · CC BY 4.0
Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus), photo 3
Photo: christoph_moning · CC BY 4.0
Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus), photo 4
Photo: Carlos Domínguez-Rodríguez · CC BY 4.0
Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus), photo 5
Photo: datadan · CC BY 4.0
Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus), photo 6
Photo: Ezequiel Vera · CC BY 4.0
Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus), photo 7
Photo: Ezequiel Vera · CC BY 4.0
Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus), photo 8
Photo: atlnature · CC BY 4.0
Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus), photo 9
Photo: christoph_moning · CC BY 4.0
Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus), photo 10
Photo: christoph_moning · CC BY 4.0

ID tip

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). 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. Voice: The breeding call has been likened to a horse whinnying.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

When to see the Least Grebe

One bar for each month. Filled bars are the 9 months with records; pale bars are months with none. The wide bar is January, the month with the most records.

Where to see the Least Grebe

Regular range

The map shades 35 countries with regular records. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.

United States Mexico Costa Rica Colombia Brazil Bahamas Puerto Rico Honduras Belize Venezuela Guatemala Cuba Panama Argentina Curaçao Peru Nicaragua Dominican Republic Ecuador Trinidad & Tobago El Salvador Jamaica Bolivia Paraguay Caribbean Netherlands Turks & Caicos Islands U.S. Virgin Islands Uruguay Aruba Guyana French Guiana Haiti Suriname British Virgin Islands Grenada

About the Least Grebe

The least grebe, an aquatic bird, is the smallest member of the grebe family. It occurs in the New World from the southwestern United States and Mexico to Argentina, and also on Trinidad and Tobago, the Bahamas and the Greater Antilles.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Easily confused with

Australasian Grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae) Australasian GrebeTachybaptus novaehollandiaeThe Australasian grebe is a small waterbird common on fresh water lakes and rivers in greater Australia, New Zealand and on nearby Pacific islands. Madagascar Grebe (Tachybaptus pelzelnii) Madagascar GrebeTachybaptus pelzelniiThe Madagascar grebe is around 25 cm long. Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollisThe little grebe is a small water bird with a pointed bill.

Side by side: Least Grebe vs Little Grebe

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