little Grebe (Tachybaptus (Podiceps) ruficoliis)
Indonesia- TitihanDescription: small (25 cm) dark, duck-like bird; a squat bird swimming high in the water and diving repeatedly, remaining submerged for long periods. In breeding plumage the throat and fore neck are reddish; crown and back of neck dark brown; upperparts brown; underparts greyish; conspicuous rictal patch yellow. In non-breeding plumage upperparts are grayish brown. Iris – yellow; bill –black; feet – bluish grey.
Voice : repeated high-pitched chittering ‘ke-ke-ke-kee’ particularly during courtship chases.
Distribution and status: Africa, Eurasia, India, China, S.E. Asia, Sumatra, Java, Bali, Celebes, Philippines and through eastern Indonesia to northern New Guinea. Very rare in Java and Bali.
Habits: frequents lakes, swamps, flooded ricefields etc. where there is clear water and plenty of water plants. Dives under water to feed and at the slightest provocation. Generally single or in small disperse groups. In breeding season birds chase each other, rushing over the water and calling.
Diet: aquatic insects, tadpoles, fish, prawns and the seeds and shoots of aquatic plants.
Breeding: the nest is a floating mass of water plants attached to the surrounding vegetation. Three to five, usually four, whitish eggs are laid. Breeding in west java is recorded for november, for central java in November, March and April. When off the nest the parent covers the eggs with weeds. Young birds ride on the parent’s back.
Race: T.r.tricolor