Silvery Grebe

Identification

The silvery grebe is a small grebe, measuring about 28 cm (11 inches) in length. Both subspecies share distinctive features: a black crown, white neck, chest and belly, dark grey back, and blackish sides and flanks. The beak and feet are black, and the eye is striking red. The two subspecies differ in head colouration: the northern form has grey ear plumes and a white throat and head-side, while the southern form displays yellowish ear plumes with a grey throat and head-side. The northern subspecies bears a resemblance to the rare Junin grebe, though they are distinguished by subtle plumage differences.

Range & Habitat

The silvery grebe inhabits the western and southern regions of South America across two subspecies with distinct ranges. The northern subspecies occupies Andean highlands at elevations of 3,000–5,000 metres, from Colombia through to north-western Argentina and northern Chile. The southern subspecies is found at lower altitudes up to 1,500 metres in central and southern Chile and Argentina, and notably in the Falkland Islands. The southern form is partially migratory, wintering as far north as southern Brazil, southern Bolivia and Paraguay.

These grebes favour freshwater lakes, lagoons, reservoirs and ponds. In the Andes, they show a preference for weakly alkaline lakes and are sometimes encountered on hypersaline waters. In Patagonia, they occasionally inhabit saline lakes where they may be observed alongside flamingoes, demonstrating their adaptability to diverse aquatic environments.

Behaviour & Diet

Silvery grebes are social birds, typically found in small groups. They are skilled divers, hunting aquatic invertebrates beneath the water's surface. Their diet comprises adults and larvae of caddisflies, water beetles, chironomid midges and water boatmen. These grebes breed in colonies on lakes, constructing nests from floating mats of vegetation. Breeding timing varies geographically: nesting has been recorded in February in Colombia, and between September and March in Peru, with the majority of eggs laid between November and January.

Best Time & Places to See It

Travellers seeking the northern subspecies should visit high-altitude Andean lakes in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, northern Chile and north-western Argentina, ideally during the breeding season from November to January. The southern subspecies can be found year-round in central and southern Chile and Argentina, and in the Falkland Islands, though winter months may see populations dispersing northward to southern Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay. Lakes and wetlands with healthy populations of aquatic invertebrates offer the best viewing opportunities.

Photography Tips

The silvery grebe's small size and preference for open water make it a rewarding but challenging photographic subject. Position yourself quietly at lake margins during early morning or late afternoon light to capture the striking red eye and contrasting plumage. The bird's diving behaviour offers dynamic shooting opportunities, though patience is essential. In Patagonian saline lakes, photograph grebes alongside flamingoes for compelling compositional variety. The subtle differences between subspecies make comparative images particularly valuable for field-guide documentation.