Junin Grebe (Podiceps taczanowskii)

Order: Podicipediformes | Family: Podicipedidae | IUCN Status: Critically Endangered

Junin-Grebe
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Lake Junin, Junin

Junin-Grebe
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Lake Junin, Junin

Junin-Grebe
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Lake Junin, Junin

Junin-Grebe
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Lake Junin, Junin


Identification & Behavior: ~35.6 cm (14 in). The Junin Grebe is mostly gray with white throat, neck, and breast. The underparts are whitish. It has a bright red iris. It is very similar to the Silvery Grebe, but is distinguished by a slightly larger size, a longer, thicker, and bluish gray bill (black in Silvery Grebe). It is flightless.

Status: Endemic. The Junin Grebe was formerly common. Now it is rare and restricted to only the portions of Lake Junin less affected by water pollution. It seems to remain near reed beds during the breeding season, but more out in open water outside the breeding season.

Name in Spanish: Zambullidor de Junin.

Sub-species: Junin Grebe (Podiceps taczanowskii) Berlepsch & Stolzmann, 1894.

Meaning of Name:  Podiceps: L. podex, podicis= anus; and pes = foot. taczanowski: after explorer and ornithologist Wadysaw Taczanowski. A bird with its feet set far toward its tail, named in honor of Wadysaw Taczanowski.

See more of the Family Podicipedidae   peru aves

Distribution Map
Junin GrebeVoice


References:

    • Species range based on: Schulenberg, T. S., D. F. Stotz, and L. Rico. 2006. Distribution maps of the birds of Peru, version 1.0. Environment, Culture & Conservation (ECCo), The Field Museum. http://fm2.fieldmuseum.org/uw_test/birdsofperu on 10/18/2014.