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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Podicipedidae
  4. ›
  5. Poliocephalus
  6. ›
  7. Hoary-headed Grebe
Hoary-headed Grebe
Photo · (c) Lawrence Hylton, some rights reserved (CC BY)

BirdUp · Species

Hoary-headed Grebe

Poliocephalus poliocephalus(Jardine & Selby, 1827)

Updated 21 March 2026

Conservation status: Least ConcernOrigin: Native
Order
PODICIPEDIFORMES
Family
Podicipedidae
Genus
Poliocephalus

At a glance

The Hoary-headed Grebe is a medium-sized bird, about 29–31 cm long, listed as Least Concern and native to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
29–31 cm
Conservation status
Least Concern
Origin
Native
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Very common
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Hoary-headed Grebe look like?

The Hoary-headed Grebe is a medium-sized bird, about 29–31 cm long and weighing 190–311 g.

The hoary-headed grebe is a member of the grebe family. It breeds in southern parts of Australia; it winters throughout the island of Tasmania. The bird takes its name from the silvery-white streaking on its black head. It is common in Australia, with a population of about 500,000. Its habitat is similar to that of the Australasian grebe.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
29–31 cm
Weight
190–311 g
Wingspan
41 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Hoary-headed Grebe?

The Hoary-headed Grebe is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Hoary-headed Grebe eat?

The Hoary-headed Grebe feeds on fish/invertebrates and fish/invertebrates, usually foraging in flocks.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

6 photos

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Hoary-headed Grebe live in Australia?

The Hoary-headed Grebe is native to Australia, recorded across 90 of Australia’s bioregions, with a core range spanning south-west and south-east Australia and Tasmania.

BreedingSouth-west and south-east Australia and Tasmania

Non-breedingAustralia and Tasmania (except far north-east, south-central)

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident

8 regions recorded