I'm pretty sure this is a grebe. Saw two young ones at Emerald Lake today. However, I can't work out if they're Australasian Grebes or Hoary-headed Grebes. Hard to tell from the photos here on the Bird Finder. On Google images I've seen photos that seem to identify birds of similar colouring as one or the other. Confusing. Because it's got the yellow beak I'm thinking Australasian?
Hi Kathie, I think Australasian too (non breeding).
Looking at the field guides it looks like an Australasian , just a bit hard with these shots. Do you use a field guide Kathie? They are easier than the net for IDs I feel as they are more consistent .
Sunshine Coast Queensland
No, I don't actually have a field guide, got a few books on birds but nothing that lists all breeds and variations. I use the bird finder here mainly, or google for possible IDs and use their photos for comparison.
Kathiemt
Selby, Victoria
I believe that it is an Australasian Grebe - note the yellow eye and yellow skin patch between the eye and beak (these not present on the Hoary-headed Grebe)
Peter
Australasian Grebe for me as well. It was only last Sunday I was able to photograph Hoary-headed out at Penrith Lakes for the first time. I have a gallery in which you can compare both grebe species. The line separating the two tones on the head is below the eye in Hoary-headed and in line or above with Australasian Grebe when non-breeding.
See here:
Australasian Grebe
Hoary-headed Grebe
Thanks Windhover, much better shots to see the differences.
Kathiemt
Selby, Victoria
A couple of days ago a pair of grebes were swimming and diving in the last ice free patch on our dam. Tough and cute little birds.