Discovered only in 1974, this grebe breeds on isolated basaltic plateaus. Fewer than 800 survive, threatened by introduced mink and kelp gulls that learned to eat their eggs.
Juan María Raggio (Vicepresident and Board of Directors of NGO AVES ARGENTINAS; BirdLife International in Argentina, located on Matheu 1246, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires)., CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Aquatic Tango
On the high, windswept basaltic plateaus of Patagonia, the Hooded Grebe (Podiceps gallardoi) performs one of nature's intricate courtship rituals. This grebe, with black-and-white plumage and fiery red eyes, was unknown to science until its discovery by ornithologist Mauricio Rumboll in 1974. Its breeding grounds are remote lakes at elevations of 500 to 1,200 meters.
The breeding season, from October to March, begins with a synchronized dance. compared to a tango, the display involves frantic, rhythmic head-shaking, where partners face each other and whip their heads back and forth. The ritual includes presenting each other with aquatic weeds before the climax: the pair rises chest-to-chest and frantically "dances" across the water's surface.
After pairing, they build floating nests in colonies that can contain up to 130 pairs. These nests are platforms constructed from aquatic plants, particularly a type of watermilfoil (Myriophyllum elatinoides), which they anchor to submerged vegetation.
A Fragile Existence
The species faces a precarious future. The female typically lays two eggs, but often only one chick is raised. The second egg is frequently abandoned after the first hatches. After an incubation period of about 21 days, the downy black-and-white striped chicks emerge. They are precocial and spend their first few weeks riding on their parents' backs for warmth and protection.
The breeding cycle is under assault from multiple directions. The primary threat is the invasive American mink (Neovison vison), which was introduced to the region for fur farming. Minks are devastating predators, and a single animal can destroy an entire grebe colony in one attack. Kelp Gulls (Larus dominicanus) have also learned to prey on grebe eggs and chicks, especially when colonies are disturbed. Introduced rainbow trout and salmon alter the lake ecology, competing with the grebes for their invertebrate food source.
Climate change is another serious challenge. Increased wind speeds on the plateaus create waves that can destroy the fragile floating nests. Changing precipitation patterns and reduced snowfall cause some traditional breeding lakes to dry up completely. Conservation organizations like Aves Argentinas are actively working to save the species through mink control programs, research, and the deployment of artificial nesting platforms to withstand high winds.
💡Fun Facts
The species was completely unknown to science until it was found on Laguna Los Escarchados in 1974.
Its entire order, Podicipediformes, dates back at least 25-35 million years.
The grebes' dramatic head-shaking dance is so fast it resembles the headbanging of a rock musician.
The average number of young successfully raised per adult each year is extremely low, at just 0.2.
This is a remote, protected wilderness area. Access is restricted and generally only possible with certified guides or researchers.
Admission
Not applicable. Access is managed through conservation projects and requires special permission.
Accessibility
The breeding lakes are on high-altitude basalt plateaus, accessible only via rugged 4x4 tracks. The terrain is difficult and exposed to extreme weather.
