Coates (1985) lists Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis as occurring on New Ireland, although this island is not shown as part of its range on the distribution map. Coates (1990) in ‘Additions and Corrections’ notes that the Little Grebe’s range also includes southern New Ireland following a sighting by T.Palliser. Beehler et al (1986) lists this species as occuring in the Bismarcks (of which New Ireland is one). Bird-watchers visiting New Ireland subsequent to these publications have not recorded Little Grebe (Jones & Lambley 1987, Finch & McKean 1987, Lyburn 1991, Eastwood 1996).
On 3 and 5 October 1998 I observed seven Little Grebes on a small pond beside the road to Kaut at the northern end of New Ireland. The road to Kaut crosses the island from a point on the Boluminski Highway about 22 km south of Kavieng (just after crossing the first bridge out of Kavieng). The pond lies to the north of the road, 5 km from the junction. All the Little Grebes were in breeding plumage: black bill, black crown, red eye, obvious pale yellowish gape, sides of neck and throat a rich rufous while the lower neck and remainder of the body was dark grey with a rufous tinge on the flanks and paler round the rear end. Although the birds were in breeding plumage there was no evidence of nesting or breeding behaviour.
This note is submitted to confirm the presence of Little Grebe at the northern end of New Ireland.
Beehler, B., T.K. Pratt & D. Zimmerman. 1986. Birds of New Guinea. Princeton.
Coates, B.J. 1990. Birds of Papua New Guinea, Volume 1. Dove.
Coates, B.J. 1990. Birds of Papua New Guinea, Volume 2. Dove.
Eastwood, C. 1996. Kavieng, Djaul and Mussau Island, New Ieland: A trip report. Muruk 8(1):28-32.
Finch, B. & J. McKean. 1987. Some notes on the birds of the Bismarcks. Muruk 2(1):3-28
Jones, & P. Lambley. 1987. Notes on the birds of New Ireland. Muruk 2(1):29-33.
Lyburn, A. 1991. Report of an expedition to New Ireland. Muruk 5(1):32-33
On 3 and 5 October 1998 I observed seven Little Grebes on a small pond beside the road to Kaut at the northern end of New Ireland. The road to Kaut crosses the island from a point on the Boluminski Highway about 22 km south of Kavieng (just after crossing the first bridge out of Kavieng). The pond lies to the north of the road, 5 km from the junction. All the Little Grebes were in breeding plumage: black bill, black crown, red eye, obvious pale yellowish gape, sides of neck and throat a rich rufous while the lower neck and remainder of the body was dark grey with a rufous tinge on the flanks and paler round the rear end. Although the birds were in breeding plumage there was no evidence of nesting or breeding behaviour.
This note is submitted to confirm the presence of Little Grebe at the northern end of New Ireland.
Beehler, B., T.K. Pratt & D. Zimmerman. 1986. Birds of New Guinea. Princeton.
Coates, B.J. 1990. Birds of Papua New Guinea, Volume 1. Dove.
Coates, B.J. 1990. Birds of Papua New Guinea, Volume 2. Dove.
Eastwood, C. 1996. Kavieng, Djaul and Mussau Island, New Ieland: A trip report. Muruk 8(1):28-32.
Finch, B. & J. McKean. 1987. Some notes on the birds of the Bismarcks. Muruk 2(1):3-28
Jones, & P. Lambley. 1987. Notes on the birds of New Ireland. Muruk 2(1):29-33.
Lyburn, A. 1991. Report of an expedition to New Ireland. Muruk 5(1):32-33
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