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Alice Springs Waste Stabilisation Ponds

A member of the grebe family. the Hoary-headed Grebe (Poliocephalus poliocephalus) takes its name from the colour of the breeding plumage, silvery-white streaking on its black head and pale neck.

Hoary-headed Grebe (Poliocephalus poliocephalus), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer
Hoary-headed Grebe (Poliocephalus poliocephalus), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer
Hoary-headed Grebe (Poliocephalus poliocephalus), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer
Hoary-headed Grebe (Poliocephalus poliocephalus), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer

It is much paler when in non-breeding plumage, and with a dark cap extending to just below the eye.

Hoary-headed Grebe (Poliocephalus poliocephalus), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer
Hoary-headed Grebe (Poliocephalus poliocephalus), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer

It shares a similar habitat to the Australasian Grebe, and is common in Australia.

Hoary-headed Grebe (Poliocephalus poliocephalus), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer
Hoary-headed Grebe (Poliocephalus poliocephalus), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer

The photographs presented here were taking in the month of February, August and December.

Check out our section on Birds.


  • Scientific classification
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Aves
  • Order: Podicipediformes
  • Family: Podicipedidae
  • Genus: Poliocephalu
  • Species: Poliocephalus poliocephalus

Footnote & References

  1. Hoary-headed Grebe (Poliocephalus poliocephalus), eBird, https://ebird.org/species/hohgre1?siteLanguage=en_AU

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