Alaotra grebe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alaotra grebe |
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Tachybaptus
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rufolavatus
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| Alaotra grebe range | |
The Alaotra grebe (Tachybaptus rufolavatus) was a small grebe that lived only in Lake Alaotra and nearby lakes in Madagascar. Sadly, this bird is now extinct. Experts believe it disappeared after new types of fish, which ate the grebes, were put into its home. It is also known as Delacour's little grebe or rusty grebe.
Contents
About the Alaotra Grebe
This grebe was about 25 centimeters (10 inches) long. It had small wings, which meant it could not fly long distances. Male and female grebes looked very similar, though males were a little bigger.
What the Grebe Ate
The Alaotra grebe mostly ate fish. Sometimes, insects were also found in their stomachs. Their strong bill (beak) was perfect for catching fish.
How the Grebe Bred
Not much is known about how the Alaotra grebe raised its young. It is thought that they found partners in December. Most breeding happened between January and March. However, some young birds were seen with their mothers in May and June. This suggests that some eggs were laid later in the year. Scientists believe their breeding habits were similar to the closely related little grebe.
Why the Alaotra Grebe Disappeared
The number of Alaotra grebes dropped a lot during the 1900s. There were several reasons for this:
- Loss of Home: Their natural home was destroyed.
- Fishing Nets: They got caught in fishing nets made of thin, strong lines.
- New Predators: A type of fish called the blotched snakehead was brought to the lake. These fish ate the grebes.
Also, the few remaining Alaotra grebes started to breed with little grebes. These mixed-breed birds might not have been as healthy. This made it harder for the Alaotra grebe's unique genes to survive.
The Madagascar pochard, another bird from Lake Alaotra, was also thought to be extinct. But it was found again in 2006! Sadly, the Alaotra grebe could not travel far. It was never found anywhere else.
The last time anyone saw an Alaotra grebe was in 1985. It might have even been a mixed-breed bird. In 2010, the species was officially declared extinct. There is only one known photograph of this bird.
Leon Bennun, who works for a conservation group called BirdLife International, has said there is "no hope" for this species. He blames human actions for its disappearance. This extinction brought the total number of confirmed bird extinctions since 1600 to 162.
Where the Grebe Lived
This water bird lived only on the island of Madagascar. It was found around Lake Alaotra and other nearby water areas. The grebe especially liked to live in the tall reeds and papyrus plants near the lake. These plants were important for building their nests.
Gallery
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An artist's reconstruction.
See also
- Atitlán grebe, extinct since 1989 for similar reasons
- Endemic birds of Madagascar and western Indian Ocean islands
