Grebes are small specialised waterbirds which are mostly seen diving and swimming on the wetlands. You will rarely seem them walk and they usually undertake flight at night to move to new locations.

Hoary-headed Grebe (Poliocephalus poliocephalus)

A small grey-brown waterbird with whitish throat, the Hoary-headed Grebe has been observed on both Cape wetland complexes throughout the spring and summer of 2019/20. In breeding plumage, it has a big dark head with fine white streaking as seen above. It dives regularly for food in the classic “duck dive” and usually feeds on invertebrates. When spotted, they usually dive and swim underwater to hide amongst the wetland vegetation. Rarely seen in flight which it normally undertakes at night.

Australasian Grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae)

A small grey-brown waterbird, a pair of Australasian Grebe were observed on the larger Cape wetlands throughout the autumn of 2020. When first sighted they were in breeding plumage (black throat, rufous neck sides, yellow eye and yellow patch between eye and bill), after which the black and rufous colour fade into a lighter non-breeding plumage.  Like the Hoary-headed Grebe, it dives regularly for food in the classic “duck dive” and usually feeds on invertebrates. When disturbed, it usually dives and swims underwater to hide amongst the wetland vegetation. Rarely seen in flight which it normally undertakes at night.