Alaotra Grebe (Tachybaptus rufolavatus)

Other Names (World)
Alaotra Grebe, Aloatra Little Grebe, Delacour's Little Grebe

Family
Podicipedidae (Grebes)

Size
25 cm

First Described (Guide)
(Delacour, 1932)

Habitat
Brackish waters (Lake Alaotra), with dense vegetation at the edges.

Range (Guide)

Madagascar (E) (B).

Lake Alaotra, Madagascar.

Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.

Status EX
Last confirmed sightings were in 1985. Decline probably due to introduction of carnivorous fish, introduction of exotic plants, fish and mammals leading to depletion of essential food sources, and habitat loss due to conversion of marshes to agricultural areas. It is now considered extinct (2010).

For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

Habits
Sedentary and a poor flying due to its small wings.

Food
Almost exclusively fish.

Subspecies
Forms superspecies with Australasian Grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae) and Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis). Sometimes considered subspecies of Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis), and intensive hybridization currently occurring.

No subspecies.

Similar Species
Madagascar Grebe (Tachybaptus pelzelnii) which has a whitish line under eye.

References
See References.

Files:

JPG files for Alaotra Grebe (Tachybaptus rufolavatus) - 10 files

More Information

BirdLife International

For more information about the Alaotra Grebe see... Show Articles

BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

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