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Australasian Crested Grebe Portrait
This Australasian Crested Grebe was photographed on Lake Wakatipu. It was one of only a couple I saw that day and was photographed towards evening in the shade using fill flash. I was lying on a rocky outcrop just above water level. The grebe was staying very near the shore darting about very quickly catching insects which flew near the surface of the water. It was a very successful hunter, making a surprisingly loud 'clack' with its beak each time it caught a new meal. Details: Canon 350d, EF 300mm f/4 IS + 1.4x TC, 1/800, f/7.1, 400 ISO, 420ex, hand held. -
Australasian Crested Grebe Portrait
This Crested Grebe was photographed in the afternoon at Lake Manapouri from a small rocky outcrop. Details: Canon 350d, EF 300mm f/4 IS + 1.4x TC, 1/500, f/6.3, 100 ISO, hand held. -
Australasian Crested Grebe Courtship
I was lucky enough to observe an Australasian Crested Grebe courting display. One winter afternoon on Lake Wakatipu I observed two separate Crested Grebes at different areas. I noticed that they were both slowly moving closer together. When they finally met one of them dived down and returned with a bill full of lake vegetation. Both became very excited and started paddling fast so most of their bodies were out of the water, dancing around eachother. It was over in about ten seconds, but they remained together for as long as I observed them. Details: Canon 350d, EF 300mm f/4 IS + 1.4x TC, 1/500, f/6.3, 100 ISO, hand held. -
Australasian Crested Grebe Pair
These two Crested Grebes were very friendly. They came within two meters of where I was lying on a rocky outcrop on the shore of Lake Manapouri. They would always stay on the other side of the rocks from me though, meaning I would have to scramble to get any pictures. Details: Canon 350d, EF 300mm f/4 IS + 1.4x TC, 1/800, f/7.1, 400 ISO, hand held. -
Australasian Crested Grebe Portrait
One of the pictures I was able to take while the Crested Grebes were catching their dinner. Details: Canon 350d, EF 70-200mm f/4, 1/500, f/4, 100 ISO, 420ex, hand held. -
Australasian Crested Grebe and Chick
Taken at Lake McGregor, Australasian Crested Grebes often transport their young on their backs, often more than one at a time. This one only got a ride for a little while before the parent forced it to go swimming (which judging from the noise, it didn't like one bit) Details: Canon 350d, EF 300mm f/4 IS + 1.4x TC, 1/800, f/5.6, 100 ISO, hand held.
Australasian Crested Grebe (podiceps cristatus)
Puteketeke
Size: 50 cm, 1100gm
Description: A large long necked grebe with dagger-like bill and a prominent double crest and ruff. Sexes alike, plumage similar all year. Juveniles retain black and white head stripes until independent.
Habitat: Found in the South Island, mainly on alpine and sub-alpine lakes east of the main ranges.
Status: Protected threatened native, approx 250 birds in 1998. Habitat and nest security threatened by increased use of motorised water crafts.
Breeding: September - February. 3-7 eggs laid. Both sexes feed the chicks and carry them on their backs.
Distinguishing Features: Very elegant bird, dagger-like bill, prominant double crest and lobed feet.
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