Poliocephalus poliocephalus (Jardine & Selby, 1827)

Plumage and Physical Traits

The hoary-headed grebe, scientifically named Poliocephalus poliocephalus (Jardine & Selby, 1827), is a fairly small grebe with dark grey and white plumage. It has a brown eye, a black patch under the chin, and a narrow black streak running down the back of its neck.

Breeding Plumage

In breeding season, adult hoary-headed grebes develop white streaks across their entire heads, which gives the species its common name.

Juvenile Plumage

Juveniles have a white chin and throat, along with a striped face.

Male Plumage Phases

Males go through two plumage phases: after breeding ends, they lose their buff-coloured breast and the white lines on their head, but they can usually still be identified by the broad black bar that runs down their nape.

Australian Distribution

The hoary-headed grebe occurs in all states and territories of Australia, though it is generally absent from the country's central arid regions.

Habitat Preferences

It most often inhabits large open bodies of water away from shorelines; these waters can be estuarine, brackish, or freshwater. It can also be found in sheltered coastal seas.

New Zealand Occurrence

It sometimes occurs in New Zealand, where it is far less common than in Australia.

Feeding Methods

The hoary-headed grebe feeds on aquatic arthropods, catching most of its prey by deep diving.

Foraging Patterns

This species feeds during the day, and when light levels are poor, it does most of its foraging at the water surface.