Hello! Are you familiar with the Little Grebe?
This adorable water bird is the smallest in the Grebe family found in Japan, measuring just 26cm in length. It is often mistaken for a baby duck. In the Kanto region, it’s a resident bird that can be seen all year round. Both male and female Little Grebes share the same coloration. In summer, their heads turn black, and their face to neck is covered in beautiful reddish-brown feathers. In winter, their plumage changes to a lighter color overall.
Collect water plants and make a “floating nest” on the water’s surface, in fact, Matsuo Basho also turned this into a poem.
What’s most distinctive about them are their feet. Positioned far back on their body, when viewed from above, their legs resemble a frog’s and act like the propeller of a boat, powerfully propelling them through water.
The structure of the Little Grebe’s feet is astonishing. Known as “lobed feet,” each toe has a fin attached, functioning like natural paddles. This enables the Little Grebe to skillfully dive and swim at a speed of 2 meters per second!
However, due to these unique feet, they are quite unstable on land and rarely walk. But in water, they transform into agile hunters with their small bodies, swiftly capturing small fish and shrimp. Their ability to suddenly disappear from the water surface and reappear at a different location is almost like magic.
Despite their charm, Little Grebes are not very well-known. Next time you go for a walk or hiking near a body of water, try to spot a Little Grebe. You’re sure to find comfort in their adorable appearance and graceful movements on water! See you next time.
