New Zealand dabchickWeweia

Conservation status
In some trouble

Similar to their cousin, the Australasian grebe, the New Zealand grebe (or dabchick) bases itself on ponds and lakes. Interestingly, they have no tail and hold their rump high when swimming. Knowing that their eggs are under high predation, they cover their nests with weeds when they have to dash out to the shops for a quick bite. 

Campaign Manager

Lucy Dean

Kia Ora! Weweia or New Zealand dabchick are a grebe that live and breed in the North Island, and are excitingly returning to breed in the South Island. These birds are amazing: Their chicks are stripy, fluffy and sit on the backs' of their parents when they are young, they are endangered, with currently only around 2000 left and dive underwater to feed. Many weweia are even returning to urban areas to breed and live! So help out this endangered, little-known grebe and give a vote for Weweia/Dabchick for 2023 Bird of the Century! #weweiaforbirdofthecentury

New Zealand dabchick

Credit - Michele MacKenzie