Family Grebes (Podicipedidae)
Endangered
Madagascar Grebe (Tachybaptus pelzelnii)
Taxonomy
French: Grèbe malgache German: Madagaskarzwergtaucher Spanish: Zampullín malgache
Other common names:
Madagascar Little Grebe
Taxonomy:
Podiceps pelzelnii
Hartlaub
, 1861,Madagascar
.Distribution:
Madagascar, occurring throughout island.
Descriptive notes
25 cm; male 177 g, female 145 g (means). In breeding plumage has blackish-brown cap to just below eye, extending back as narrow band on central hindneck, upperparts... read more
Voice
Trilled calls similar to those of T. ruficollis, perhaps lower in pitch.
Habitat
Permanent or temporary waterbodies, mainly freshwater; prefers sites with with abundant aquatic... read more
Food and feeding
Small fish, but less piscivorous than T. ruficollis and T. rufolavatus; aquatic insects form important part of diet;... read more
Breeding
Breeds mainly in Feb–Apr, at end of rains, but also in austral spring (Aug–Oct). Nests may be close to each other. Nest a... read more
Movements
Dispersive, moving when waterbodies dry out or become markedly reduced in size. Groups of moere... read more
Status and conservation
ENDANGERED. Widespread, and rather common in some regions; reasonably numerous in W & C Madagascar. BirdLife places global population at fewer than c. 2500 individuals on... read more
Known to have hybridized with T. ruficollis. Monotypic.