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Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollis
39.1488, -3.70439
Field Notes
Description:
The Little Grebe is a small water bird with a pointed bill.
The adult is unmistakable in summer, predominantly dark above with its rich, rufous colour neck, cheeks and flanks, and bright yellow gape. T
he rufous is replaced by a dirty brownish grey in non-breeding and juvenile birds.
In winter, its size, buff plumage, with a darker back and cap, and “powder puff” rear end enable easy identification of this species.
The Little Grebe's breeding call, given singly or in duet, is a trilled repeated weet-weet-weet or wee-wee-wee which sounds like a horse whinnying.
Habitat:
This bird breeds in small colonies in heavily vegetated areas of freshwater lakes across Europe, much of Asia down to New Guinea, and most of Africa.
Most birds move to more open or coastal waters in winter, but it is only migratory in those parts of its range where the waters freeze.
Outside of breeding season, it moves into more open water, occasionally even appearing on the coast in small bays.
Notes:
spanish name: Zampullin Chico
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