lirralirra

Grebes are all gorgeous and this little one was especially cute as it floated around the lily pond while preening.

This fluffy-end view is typical of the shots I usually get of Australasian Grebe so I was stoked to watch this sweet bird preening and capture some other shots at the lily pond.

They are also known as Australian Little Grebe as they are only about 26cm.

It was so peaceful to watch as the grebe carefully preened it beautiful feathers. These are the breeding colours, male and female. Non-breeding birds are much duller, mainly dark grey above and light grey below with a white bare skin patch at the base of the bill.

Their breeding colours are vibrant. Their heads become a glossy black with a bold chestnut stripe. The bare skin near their bill becomes a light yellow and is more obvious.

Occasionally it peeked my way as it swirled. As it preened it spread oil from its uropygial gland evenly across its feathers to ensure they stay waterproof.

I love the shot above! Birds often stretch during preening and this grebe’s outstretched foot and lifted wings looked very graceful.

They eat small fish and aquatic insects which they capture, mainly, when diving. They dive, rather than fly, when they are disturbed.

And then it floated back among the lily leaves, giving me another view of its fluffy end.

It was amazing to get out and about with a lovely friend and a long lens.

Happy birding, Kim

~ Facebook page Kim Wormald – lirralirra
~ Facebook group  Ethical Bird Photography