The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Little Grebe / Dabchick
Afrikaans name: Kleindobbertjie
Photo © Steven Herbert
Tachybaptus ruficollis
The Little Grebe is the smallest of the 3 species of Grebe that occur in South Africa. It is about 20 cm in length.
They can be found in suitable habitat right across South Africa. Beyond our borders they can be found across most of Africa and Europe.
Little Grebes are normally found in quiet, slow-flowing stretches of water that have some vegetation to provide them with cover.
They are normally found in pairs or small groups during the breeding season. Outside of the breeding season they may occasionally be found in large flocks.
Their food consists of small aquatic animals such as tadpoles, frogs and arthropods. They spend a lot of time diving under the water to look for food.
Little Grebes breed at different times of the year from region to region. They make their nest on the water and it consists of bits of vegetation. It is often concealed under overhanging plants. Up to 5 eggs may be laid. Both parents tend to the eggs and chicks.
Roberts Birds Names by Edition
| Edition | Roberts nr | Scientific name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 6 | Poliocephalus ruficollis capensis |
| 2nd | 6 | Podiceps ruficollis |
| 3rd | 6 | Podiceps ruficollis |
| 4th | 6 | Tachybaptus ruficollis |
| 5th | 8 | Tachybaptus ruficollis |
| 6th | 8 | Tachybaptus ruficollis |
| 7th | 414 | Tachybaptus ruficollis |
| Edition | Roberts nr | English name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 6 | Cape Dabchick |
| 2nd | 6 | Cape Dabchick |
| 3rd | 6 | Dabchick |
| 4th | 6 | Dabchick |
| 5th | 8 | Dabchick |
| 6th | 8 | Dabchick |
| 7th | 414 | Little Grebe |
| Edition | Roberts nr | Afrikaans name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 6 | Kaapse Duikertjie |
| 2nd | 6 | Kaapse Duikertjie |
| 3rd | 6 | Klein Duikertjie |
| 4th | 6 | Klein Duikertjie |
| 5th | 8 | Kleindobbertjie |
| 6th | 8 | Kleindobbertjie |
| 7th | 414 | Kleindobbertjie |
References and further reading
Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 20Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 28
The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 3
The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 42
Seabirds - Author: Peter Harrison - Published: 1983 - Page: 212
Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 138
Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 125
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 72
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 32
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 6
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 5
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 6
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 5
Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 174
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 4
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 96
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 96
Meeting with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1986 - Page: 22
Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 32
Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Published: 2004 - Page: 177
Freshwater Life - Author: C. Griffiths, J. Day & M. Picker - Published: 2015 - Page: 50
Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 45
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 46
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 6
Common Birds of the North Coast - Author: Bing Comrie - Published: 2005 - Page: 1
Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 24
Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 10
Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 4
Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 1
Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 36
Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 29
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 199
A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 23
A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 199
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