Hoary-headed Grebe
Poliocephalus poliocephalus
Silhouette: Tisha Mukherjee · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPodicipediformes (Grebes)
- FamilyPodicipedidae (Grebes)
- GenusPoliocephalus (Hoary-headed and New Zealand Grebes)
- SpeciesPoliocephalus poliocephalus (Hoary-headed Grebe)
About the Hoary-headed Grebe
The hoary-headed grebe (Poliocephalus poliocephalus) is a member of the grebe family. It breeds in southern parts of Australia; it winters throughout the island of Tasmania. The bird takes its name from the silvery-white streaking on its black head. It is common in Australia, with a population of about 500,000. Its habitat is similar to that of the Australasian grebe.
The hoary-headed grebe is a fairly small dark grey and white grebe. It has a brown eye and a black patch under the chin, and a narrow black streak down the back of the neck. During the breeding season the adult's plumage has white streaks over its entire head, giving them the common name of hoary-headed grebe. Juveniles have a white chin and throat and a striped face. Males have two plumage phases: after breeding they lose the buff breast and the white lines on the head, but can usually be identified then by the broad black bar down the nape.
The hoary-headed grebe is found in all states and territories of Australia. It is generally absent from the central arid regions of Australia. The hoary-headed grebe is usually found away from the shoreline in large open waters, which... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Hoary-headed Grebe in Great Otway National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Great Otway National Park
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Otway National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 2 | Grampians National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 3 | Booderee National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 4 | Blue Mountains National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 5 | Kosciuszko National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 6 | Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 7 | Wilsons Promontory National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 8 | Royal National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 9 | Flinders Chase | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 10 | Freycinet National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 11 | Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 12 | Maria Island National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 13 | Ningaloo Marine Park | 🇦🇺 Australia |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Hoary-headed Grebe in Great Otway National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Hoary-headed Grebe sighting in Great Otway National Park, based on 387 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Hoary-headed Grebe in Great Otway National Park?
August has the highest sighting rate for Hoary-headed Grebe in Great Otway National Park in our monthly data.