What kind of bird is the Little Grebe, which is often introduced in photographs as a resident bird? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. This bird is widely distributed from temperate to tropical regions of the African and Eurasian continents, and there are several subspecies. However, this species is designated as an endangered species.
What is a Little Grebe? Basic Stats
Little grebes are birds classified as part of the Grebe family, Peturidae, and the genus Tachybaptus. Their scientific name is Tachybaptus ruficollis, and their English name is Little grebe. The kanji for Little grebe is written as “鳰(nio)” in Japanese, so they are also written as “Nio” or “Niodori”. They are 26cm long, weigh 130-240g, and have a wingspan of 40-50cm. The complete list of information is below. They look like ducks, and are a type of bird that can dive.
| Japanese（和名） | カイツブリ |
| English（英名） | Little grebe |
| scientific name(学名) | Tachybaptus ruficollis |
| classification（分類） | Aves、 Podicipediformes、 Podicipedidae、Tachybaptus 鳥綱、カイツブリ目、カイツブリ科、カイツブリ属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | LEAST CONCERN |
| Length（体長） | 26cm |
| Weight（体重） | 130～240g |
Taxonomy (phylogenetic classification)
カイツブリは以下の分類に属します。
| 階級 | 分類 |
|---|---|
| 界 | 動物界 (Animalia) |
| 門 | 脊索動物門 (Chordata) |
| 綱 | 鳥綱 (Aves) |
| 目 | カイツブリ目 (Podicipediformes) |
| 科 | カイツブリ科 (Podicipedidae) |
| 属 | カイツブリ属 (Tachybaptus など) |
| 種 | 例: カイツブリ (Tachybaptus ruficollis) |
Habitat
Little Grebes live in the mid-latitudes south of Africa and Eurasia, including the United Kingdom, Indonesia, the Solomon Islands, Japan, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and Madagascar.
- Habitats in Japan
The following species of Grebe are found primarily in Japan:
Species Name Scientific Name Distribution/Habitat
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis: Found in freshwater lakes, ponds, and marshes throughout Japan. Winters in warmer regions.
Shrimp-crowned Grebe Podiceps cristatus: Breeds in Hokkaido and Honshu. Found in lakes and large ponds, migrating to coastal areas and inland bays in winter.
Little Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis: Breeds primarily in lakes and marshes in Hokkaido, migrating to warm coastal regions in winter.
European Grebe (Rare) Podiceps auritus: Very rarely recorded as a vagrant.
- Global Distribution
Tachybaptus: Widely distributed across Asia, Africa, and Australia
Podiceps: Mainly distributed in the Northern Hemisphere (Europe, Asia, and North America)
Other genera: Some species are found in South America and Oceania
- Habitat Characteristics
Little Grebes prefer freshwater environments, but there are subtle differences between species:
Lakes, ponds, and rivers: Most species use them for breeding
Shallow waters with abundant aquatic vegetation: Suitable for nesting
Coastal areas and bays: Used as wintering grounds
Characteristics:
They build floating nests, so stable vegetation on the water surface is desirable.
They hunt for fish and aquatic insects underwater, so the water quality is often relatively clean.
What are its characteristics? What kind of creature is it?
Little grebes have very short tail feathers and uniformly black-brown wings. Their beaks are short and pointed, with pale yellow spots at the tip. In summer, their summer plumage is black-brown from the head to the back of the neck, and reddish-brown feathers from the cheeks to the sides of the neck. In winter, their overall plumage is pale, and the upper surface from the head to the body becomes dark brown. They are known as resident birds in many areas and live in freshwater areas such as lakes, ponds, and rivers, moving on the surface. They make a small cry.
- Physical Characteristics
Body Length: 20-50cm (depending on species)
Small species are palm-sized, while horned grebes and crested grebes are medium-sized.
Body Shape: Stocky and round, with a short neck.
Plumage:
During the breeding season, the back is blackish, with some species displaying reddish-brown or white markings on the neck and chest.
In winter, the body turns a dull gray or brown.
Tail: Short, degenerated for diving.
Feet:
Platygota positioned towards the rear (suitable for paddling).
Specialized in diving and swimming.
- Behavior & Ecology
Swimming and Diving:
They float low on the water surface, giving the illusion of being submerged when viewed from a distance.
They can dive for several to several tens of seconds to catch fish and insects.
Calls:
They make a high-pitched, sharp “kyok-kyok” sound.
During the breeding season, they communicate with each other through calls.
Reproduction:
They build floating nests on the water’s surface.
They lay 2-5 eggs in floating nests made from leaves and aquatic plants.
Sociality:
They often travel in small groups in winter.
During the breeding season, each pair establishes a territory.
- Diet
Carnivorous waterbird
Preys on fish, shrimp, aquatic insects, frogs, etc.
They can be called “underwater hunters” because they dive to catch prey.
- Appearance
They have a low back and float close to the water’s surface.
Up close, they stretch their necks and dive in circles, making them adorable.
When nested among aquatic plants, they resemble ninjas, blending into the water’s surface.
What is their ecology?
Little grebes are always in the water, and by diving they eat aquatic plants, small fish, plants, crustaceans such as fish and shrimp, shellfish, and aquatic insects. Little grebes live in small colonies. They breed multiple times a year, often building nests in freshwater areas, and the parents lay eggs. They are known to lay 4-6 eggs at a time, 1-3 times a year, from April to December. Males and females take turns incubating the eggs, which last for 20-25 days. The chicks and young are raised for about 60-70 days before leaving the nest and reaching sexual maturity in 1 year. The average lifespan is about 5 years.
- Habitat
They prefer freshwater lakes, ponds, swamps, rivers, and other areas rich in aquatic vegetation.
During the breeding season, they build nests in shallow areas with aquatic vegetation.
Some species migrate to coastal areas, warm lakes, swamps, and inland bays for winter.
- Behavior
Aquatic Life
They dive to feed on fish and aquatic insects.
They float low to the water’s surface, appearing to blend in with it from a distance.
They dive for a few to a dozen seconds, then move quickly to hunt.
Land Behavior
Because their feet are positioned toward the back, they have difficulty walking on land.
They primarily live on the water, only coming up to shore to breed or rest.
- Breeding Biology
Breeding Season: Spring to Summer
Nest:
Builds a floating nest
Nesting materials include aquatic plants, leaves, and mud
Eggs:
Approximately 2-5 eggs
Both parents take turns incubating
Chicks:
Emerging directly from the nest to the surface, they swim with their parents and grow up
Approximately 6-8 weeks until first flight
- Diet
Primarily fish-eating, but also preys on insects and shrimp
Diving to catch fish requires quick movement in the water
Small grebes feed mainly on small fish, while medium-sized and larger species can also catch slightly larger fish
- Sociality
Travel and rest in small groups in winter
During the breeding season, pairs form territories and keep other grebes away
Breeding pairs are highly cooperative, taking turns building the nest, incubating the eggs, and caring for the chicks
- Migration and Distribution
Moderately migratory
Breeding individuals in northern Japan spend the winter in southern Honshu and other areas
Some tropical species are resident
Do they have any natural enemies?
Since little grebes mainly live in the water, their natural enemies include sharks and turtles.
About Little Grebe Baby
This article provides detailed information about little grebe baby chicks. Little grebes are birds perfectly adapted to life on water, so their chicks are known to enter the water from the moment they are born.
- Eggs and Hatching
Eggs are laid in groups of 2-5.
Eggs are incubated in a floating nest.
Hatching period: Approximately 19-23 days (depending on species and environment).
Parents often take turns incubating the eggs.
- Chick Appearance
Newly hatched chicks have fluffy, downy feathers.
They have black and white stripes on their backs, making them inconspicuous even when floating on water.
They have a large head and a small, slender beak.
- Aquatic Life
They descend directly from the nest into the water.
Because the nest floats on the water’s surface, chicks begin swimming from the moment they are born.
They may also ride on their parents’ backs.
To protect themselves from the cold and predators,
Young chicks typically ride on their parents’ backs for transportation.
- Diet
At first, they are fed partially digested fish and aquatic insects by their parents.
After a few days to a week, they begin to practice diving and catching small fish and insects on their own.
- Growth
Their bodies grow rapidly, but it takes about 6–8 weeks for them to be able to fly.
Growth Stage:
Only able to float and swim
Begins diving practice
Learns to hunt independently
Wings develop, enabling flight
Are little grebes an endangered species?
Little grebes are not endangered, but they are listed as near-threatened in Japanese municipalities (Tokyo, Gifu, Kyoto, Yamaguchi, and Okinawa). They are listed as endangered in Chiba Prefecture. Their population is declining in Japan due to habitat development and the resulting reduction in food.
- International Conservation Status (IUCN)
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List assessment is as follows (representative species):
Species Name Scientific Name IUCN Red List
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis LC (Least Concern)
Spotted Grebe Podiceps cristatus LC
Long-eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis LC
💡 LC (Least Concern): Low risk of extinction, widely distributed
- Status in Japan
Little Grebe: Distributed nationwide, with relatively stable breeding and wintering
Long-eared Grebe: Limited to Hokkaido and other areas, with small populations
Although not listed as endangered, they are vulnerable to habitat destruction and water quality degradation
- Threats
Waterside development and water pollution → Decline in fish and aquatic insects
Invasive fish and plants → Changes in breeding habitat
Damage to chicks caused by predators (crows, snakes, fish, etc.)
Human activities and fishing in wintering grounds
Can little grebes be kept as pets?
Little grebes are managed under the Ministry of the Environment’s Wildlife Protection and Management Act, and feeding them is prohibited. They are often shown in photographs as wild birds on the water. They are also featured in images and sweets, and are sometimes sold.
- Wild Waterbirds
Little Grebes are birds fully adapted to life on and underwater.
Their feet are positioned backward, making them difficult to walk on land, preventing them from moving freely in cages or on land.
They have a habit of diving to catch fish and aquatic insects, so they cannot get enough exercise in artificial environments.
- Difficulty of Raising
Factors
Reasons for Difficulty
Water Environment: Requires a deep, spacious, and flowing pond.
Diet: Requires daily feeding to prey on fish and aquatic insects.
Stress: Sensitive to humans and cramped environments, they are prone to stress-related illness.
Breeding: Requires floating nests and large water surfaces; breeding is difficult outside of natural environments. - Legal Restrictions
In Japan, little grebes are protected under the Wild Bird and Animal Protection Act.
Capturing and raising them requires permission from the prefecture.
Keeping them without permission is illegal.
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