Great Crested Grebes

[wigz]

I'm just back from a couple weeks on a trip north as far as Mackay and found these cooperative Grebes in Rockhampton. They came fairly close and gave me a good show of their bonding ritual. I did take rather too many photos.

1. This one has a small fish


2.


3.


4.


5.

[HansE]

All very good with a bit extra with #2 &#5 for me.

[wigz]

Thanks Hans.

[Isac]

All great shots of an odd looking, but still beautiful and cute looking bird. I'm with Hans for #2 and #5 and I throw in #4 for the different darker mood. Our Aussie ones are called Australasian crested grebes. The male and female are similar with the male having a slightly larger bill and face patterns, so it's hard to tell them apart. I can only see the difference in #4 with what I think is the male on the right - I may be wrong. They are stunning looking birds and sedentary, much like myself

[wigz]

Thanks Isac. As far as I can find the sexes are identical, although I did find one old reference that suggested the male had a larger crest and ruff. I am surprised that they came so close to me. I think I stayed long enough that the became accustomed to me.

Not having see your, I'll have to believe that you are stunning looking too.