About Poliocephalus rufopectus (G.R.Gray, 1843)
This species, the New Zealand grebe, has dark brown plumage, a small black head marked with fine silver feathers, a black pointed bill, and characteristic yellow eyes. Adults grow to approximately 29 cm (11 inches) in length and weigh around 250 g (8.8 oz). Non-breeding individuals have paler plumage, and females are typically slightly lighter in weight, smaller in size, and have a marginally shorter bill than males. The New Zealand grebe primarily inhabits shallow freshwater lakes, ponds, and sheltered inlets. Today, it is found mainly across the North Island: it is well distributed in coastal lakes along the West coast from North Cape to Pukekohe, and from Taranaki to Paraparaumu, and also occurs on ponds of the Volcanic Plateau, Gisborne, Hawkes Bay and the Wairarapa. Historically, this species was also present in the lowland lakes of the South Island, but underwent a rapid unexplained decline during the 19th century. The last regular breeding record for the species in the South Island was in 1941, and a pair bred near Takaka in 2012, the first such recorded breeding in the region in recent history.
