Tuesday, 2 December 2025

Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Tachybaptus ("quick to sink under") dominicus ("of Hispaniola")

Breeding plumage Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus)  at San Jose, Costa Rica - November 2025


Featured Subspecies: Tachybaptus dominicus brachypterus
Weight: 112-118g  /  Length: 21-27cm  /  Wingspan: 48-53cm
NO UK STATUS IUCN Red List: Least Concern

As the name suggests, the smallest of all grebes with a range spanning from the Southern Border of the USA down to Uruguay where it prefers bodies of water with extensive vegetation for breeding such as ponds, lakes marshes and even ditches, even sometimes breeding in temporary bodies of water. They are able to breed throughout the year, using a floating nest of vegetation.

Related Species:
Order: Podicipidiformes
Family: Podicipedidae
Genus: Tachybaptus
SUBSPECIES: T. d. brachypterus, T. d. bangsi, T. d. dominicus, T. d. eisenmanni, T. d. brachyrhynchus

 - Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - zampullín macacito

A locally common species on suitable bodies of water.
 - COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen in San Jose

 Further Notes: BirdForum OpusIUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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