Junin grebe (Podiceps taczanowskii)

Chinchaycocha / Junin Lake, Peru. Jan 16, 2020

comments (20)

Thibaud Aronson

Lion

This is the other bird species entirely restricted to Lake Junin (Chinchaycocha in Quechua). Like the Junin rail, it is classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN.
It used to be reasonably numerous, but it has decreased severely in the past decades, between pollution, hydroelectric projects affecting water levels, and introduced trout eating chicks. Today, the total population is around 300 birds.
There are two other grebe species on the lake, but unlike them, the Junin grebe is flightless, and has nowhere else to go. Three other species of flightless grebes have already gone extinct in the last century (in Madagascar, Guatemala, and Colombia). The remaining 2 are both severely endangered and found in Peru (the other one is the Titicaca grebe). Their fate is entirely in our hands... Posted 4 years ago, modified 4 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  So fascinating and devastating, Thibaud. I hope this species doesn't have a similar fate to the other flightless grebes <3. Thanks for sharing this beauty. Posted 4 years ago
2. 1. Thibaud Aronson
    
    Lion
    
    Thanks Christine. I hope so too. Posted 4 years ago

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Thank you so much, Thibaud, for doing this super rare bird justice. Posted 4 years ago
1. Thibaud Aronson
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks Ferdy!
  Gotta love grebes, they're so interesting. It was the first group of birds for which mutual mate choice was demonstrated! Posted 4 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    Aren't these the birds that do this weird courtship neck dance? Posted 4 years ago
  2. 1. Thibaud Aronson
      
      Lion
      
      Yes! Though you're probably thinking specifically of the larger Aechmophorus grebes. Posted 4 years ago

Jivko Nakev

Lion

So beautiful! And so sad, so many species have gone extinct! Posted 4 years ago
1. Thibaud Aronson
  
  Lion
  
  I know, hopefully they'll manage to save this one. Posted 4 years ago

NattyOne

Lion

Nice, I didn't know about this lake or the birds Posted 4 years ago
1. Thibaud Aronson
  
  Lion
  
  It is a beauty, and surprisingly little known, even in Peru! Posted 4 years ago
2. 1. NattyOne
    
    Lion
    
    I'll have to remember this for better times Thibaud Posted 4 years ago
  2. 1. Thibaud Aronson
      
      Lion
      
      And once you're up there, I strongly recommend you head east to the Selva Central, the region where I am now. From a base in Oxapampa or VillaRica, you have access in a few hours to protected areas spanning 400 to 3000+ masl, and all the associated biodiversity! Posted 4 years ago
    2. 1. NattyOne
        
        Lion
        
        Thanks - we're definitely wanting to get to Peru - our younger son just got back from 3 mths with his girlfriend at the beginning of February, he spent Christmas and New Year there & loved it - but I'm putting your recommendations on our list. {;¬) So are you stuck there Thibaud or there for a while?? Posted 4 years ago
      2. Thibaud Aronson
        
        Lion
        
        Well I was planning on being in Peru until June and South America until the end of year. But I can't do anything but work from my computer until the quarantine ends, and who knows when that will be. I'm only minutes away from quetzals and toucanets, but my odds of seeing them these days are nearly the same as if I were back in France! Posted 4 years ago
        
        NattyOne
        
        Lion
        
        How frustrating Thibaud, but you've got to be safe!! Keep safe & then I wish you many quetzals, toucanets, trogons and many more..;-) Posted 4 years ago
        
        Thibaud Aronson
        
        Lion
        
        Thanks! And hope all is well in your neck of the woods! Posted 4 years ago
        
        NattyOne
        
        Lion
        
        cheers - thanks at the moment Posted 4 years ago

Paul Dirksen

Lion

What a beauty Thibaud. Posted 4 years ago
1. Thibaud Aronson
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks Paul! Posted 4 years ago

The Junin grebe

The Junín grebe, also known as Junin flightless grebe or puna grebe, is a grebe found only on Lake Junin in the highlands of Junín, west-central Peru. The grebe generally breeds in bays and channels around the edge of the Lake, within 8–75 m of reed beds, entering the reeds only for nesting or roosting.

Info 1 0

Similar species: Grebes

Species identified by Thibaud Aronson

By Thibaud Aronson

Uploaded Mar 27, 2020. Captured Jan 16, 2020 09:28 in Peru.

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Canon EOS 7D Mark II
f/10.0
1/800s
ISO640
560mm

Captured in the summer. More summer photos.