- 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
Gillian Osmond
The NZ dabchick or weweia in te reo is a cool little water bird which can dive under the water for 30 seconds to great depths. They have lobed feet where each individual toe is like a little paddle so they do a kind of breaststroke. This also makes it difficult to walk on land so they stay put on the water all the time. They build a floating nest and their beautiful stripy chicks sit on their parents' backs for a ride when they are tiny. Once they find their patch of water they will stay there, chasing away others – even their older chicks when the second brood come along. If they have to move, they only fly at night... but if the water comes back... so do they. #NZDabchick
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