Australasian Grebe

A small waterbird with two distinct plumage phases. The non-breeding plumage is dark grey-brown above and mostly silver-grey below, with a white oval patch of bare skin at the base of the bill. During the breeding season, both sexes have a glossy-black head and a rich chestnut facial stripe which extends from just behind the eye through to the base of the neck. When approached, Australasian Grebes usually dive under water. Food consists mainly of small fish and water insects. Prey is normally caught during deep underwater dives, but some is taken on the surface.