Grebes

(Family Podicipedidae)

Grebes have fleshy feet set well back on the body, adapted for underwater manoeuvrability, but are impractical for walking on land. Four species of these specialised waterbirds have been recorded in Australia. The Hoary-headed Grebe Poliocephalus poliocephalus is endemic to Australia, while the Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus is represented in Australia by a single endemic subspecies, the Australian Great Crested Grebe P. c. australis. The Australasian Grebe Tachybaptus novaehollandiae is found in Australia, NZ, PNG and some Pacific islands. The Little Grebe T. ruficollis has been recorded as a vagrant from Australia, as well as Sulawesi, Moluccas, Java, Lesser Sundas and New Guinea.