The Hooded Grebe (Podiceps gallardoi) is a small waterbird that is endemic to Argentina. This species has a very limited range and a small global population, which has made it vulnerable to extinction. Knowing where Hooded Grebes are found is important for monitoring and protecting this rare bird.
Quick Facts
- Scientific Name: Podiceps gallardoi
- Other Names: Macá Tobiano
- Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
- Population: Estimated 3,000-5,000 adults
- Range: Restricted to east-central Argentina
- Habitat: Shallow lakes and lagoons with extensive floating vegetation
The Hooded Grebe is endemic to a small region of east-central Argentina. Its global range is tiny, restricted to just five provinces in Argentina: Santa Cruz, Chubut, Río Negro, Neuquén, and Buenos Aires.
Within its narrow range, Hooded Grebes breed at only a handful of lakes and lagoons in the plateaus of western Patagonia and the basaltic plateaus of west-central Argentina. The species winters at estuaries and coastal lakes along the Atlantic coast.
Breeding Range and Habitat
Hooded Grebes breed at just a few shallow, eutrophic lakes and lagoons in the Andean and sub-Andean plateaus from about 800-1500 m elevation. These lakes have extensive mats of floating vegetation, especially water milfoil.
The main breeding sites are:
- Buenos Aires Lake, Santa Cruz Province
- Strobel Lake, Chubut Province
- Catan Lil Lake, Chubut Province
- Lake El Cóndor, Río Negro Province
Additional minor breeding sites likely exist within the basaltic plateaus of west-central Argentina in Neuquén and Río Negro Provinces. However, survey data is limited for these remote lakes.
The most important breeding sites are Buenos Aires and Strobel Lakes. These two lakes may support over 90% of the global breeding population of Hooded Grebes.
Buenos Aires Lake
Buenos Aires Lake is a large, eutrophic lake located at about 1,200 m elevation in the Andean plateaus of southwest Santa Cruz Province. The lake has extensive mats of floating water milfoil that provide nesting habitat. Buenos Aires Lake has been estimated to support 50-60% of the global Hooded Grebe population.
Strobel Lake
Strobel Lake is located at 800 m elevation in the arid sub-Andean plateaus of west Chubut Province. This shallow, eutrophic lake also has abundant aquatic vegetation used for nesting. Surveys estimate Strobel Lake supports about 30-40% of the global population.
Wintering Range and Habitat
During the non-breeding season, Hooded Grebes migrate north to winter along the Atlantic coast of Argentina. They occur at estuaries and shallow, vegetated lagoons from Buenos Aires Province south to Río Negro Province.
The main wintering sites are:
- Mar Chiquita Lagoon, Buenos Aires Province
- Valdes Peninsula, Chubut Province
- San Antonio Oeste, Río Negro Province
Winter habitats are dominated by saltmarsh vegetation and tidal flats. Hooded Grebes may also utilize coastal bays, river mouths, and salt ponds.
Threats and Conservation Status
The Hooded Grebe has been assessed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List due to its tiny, declining population and range. There are estimated to be only 3,000-5,000 adult Hooded Grebes remaining in the wild.
Major threats to Hooded Grebes include:
- Habitat degradation at breeding lakes
- Disturbance and predation at nesting colonies
- Overgrazing by introduced livestock
- Accidental bycatch in fishing nets
- Climate change impacts
Conservation efforts are underway to protect important wetlands and reduce disturbance at breeding colonies. However, the Hooded Grebe remains at high risk of extinction due to its restricted range and tiny population size. Continued monitoring and habitat management will be essential for the survival of this rare grebe.
Conclusion
In summary, the Hooded Grebe is endemic to a small region of Argentina, where it breeds at just a handful of shallow lakes on isolated plateaus. The main breeding sites are Buenos Aires and Strobel Lakes, which support over 90% of the total population. During winter, Hooded Grebes migrate to the Atlantic coast to reside at coastal estuaries and lagoons. Due to its tiny population and limited habitat, the Hooded Grebe is Critically Endangered and at high risk of extinction without continued conservation efforts. Protecting key wetlands across Argentina will be vital for ensuring the future survival of this unique waterbird.
Location | Breeding/Wintering | Key Sites |
---|---|---|
Andean and Sub-Andean Plateaus, west-central Argentina | Breeding | Buenos Aires Lake, Strobel Lake, Catan Lil Lake, Lake El Cóndor |
Atlantic coast, eastern Argentina | Wintering | Mar Chiquita Lagoon, Valdes Peninsula, San Antonio Oeste |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly in Argentina are Hooded Grebes found?
Hooded Grebes are restricted to five provinces in Argentina: Santa Cruz, Chubut, Río Negro, Neuquén, and Buenos Aires provinces. Their breeding range is confined to shallow lakes on isolated plateaus in southwestern Santa Cruz, western Chubut, western Río Negro, and potentially west-central Neuquén provinces. In winter, they occur along the Atlantic coast from Buenos Aires Province south to Río Negro Province.
What kind of habitat do Hooded Grebes require?
Hooded Grebes require shallow lakes and lagoons that have extensive mats of floating aquatic vegetation, especially water milfoil. Nests are built on top of these floating vegetation mats, usually anchored to milfoil plants. Suitable breeding sites are eutrophic lakes found from 800-1500 m elevation on the arid Patagonian plateaus. In winter, they utilize saltmarshes, tidal flats, estuaries and coastal lagoons.
How many Hooded Grebes are there globally?
The global population of Hooded Grebes is estimated to number only around 3,000-5,000 adult individuals. They are considered Critically Endangered with an extremely small and declining overall population. The remoteness of their range makes accurate surveys difficult, but the species has undergone sharp declines and many breeding sites no longer support grebes.
What are the major threats facing Hooded Grebes?
The main threats to Hooded Grebes are degradation of breeding lakes, disturbance of nesting colonies, overgrazing by introduced livestock, entanglement in fishing nets, and climate change impacts. Conservation of key wetland habitats and reduction in human disturbances are vital for protecting this species. Their small population size also makes them vulnerable to random environmental events and inbreeding depression.
Is the Hooded Grebe recovering or still declining?
The Hooded Grebe continues to exhibit an overall population decline despite increased conservation efforts in recent years. Many breeding lakes have become degraded and no longer provide suitable nesting habitat. Improved cattle management has reduced grazing pressures at some sites, but disturbances remain a problem. The species’ tiny population size also means breeding productivity and mortality rates can fluctuate dramatically. Intensive monitoring and management of breeding wetlands will be crucial for recovery.
References
BirdLife International. 2016. Podiceps gallardoi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22696593A85974233.en
del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). 2018. Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. https://www.hbw.com/node/52288
Johnson, A.W. 1965. The Birds of Chile and Adjacent Regions of Argentina, Bolivia and Peru. Platt Establecimientos Gráficos, Buenos Aires.
López Lanús, B., Blanco, D.E., Dias, R.A., Azpiroz, A. & Rilla, F. 2008. Hooded grebe Podiceps gallardoi population decreased by eighty percent in the last twenty-five years. Oryx 42: 421-427.
Roesler, I., Falfán, M.L. & Casañas, H.E. 2017. Hooded Grebe (Podiceps gallardoi), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.hoogre.01