Loves to be aloof.
Dives for safety at the slightest hint of human or other presence.
Then why do Little Grebes (Tachybaptus ruficollis, also known as dabchicks) suddenly start circling together? We have been birding around Yapral Lake for many years. But we have never seen the Grebes in groups and that too circling together. This morning we observed a group of about 20 or more Grebes circling around together. See the picture below.
A quick AI-search threw up any of the three possibilities- a fascinating mix of social communication, courtship displays, or territorial disputes. Further prompts like venue, season, number of grebes and diving/non-diving, zeroed in on the behaviour that the grebes were engaging in gregarious flocking behaviors typical of the autumn and winter months. Further AI-refinement led us to Social Foraging (Herding Fish) which means one form of cooperative hunting. Mike Lane's explanation made sense when he said, 'Little Grebes feed primarily on small fish and aquatic larvae. When a flock of 20 birds circles tightly, they act like a closing net. Their synchronized paddling and low swimming profiles create a visual barrier and water vibrations that herd panicked, schooling fish into a tight ball. The grebes then take turns diving to pick off the trapped fish easily.' Such a nice example of Nature's adaptive intelligence in birds. In mammals, similar behaviour of hunting in packs is well known like the Wild Dogs or Dhols in Indian Tiger Reserves.
We also captured the above behaviour on video. See the short video clip below. The white spot on the Grebe's forehead is unmistakable. If you are unable to play the YT video click here.
How a small observation this morning led us to another discovery of Nature's many mysteries. That is the ultimate thrill of being outdoors and the power of observation!
The idiom 'going around in circles' is usually associated with a wasteful effort with no real progress or output. But in this case, the grebes have proven us wrong. They go around in circles on purpose and for social foraging in the lake as brought out in the above story!
Sharing below a picture of the birders this morning in the age group of 22 to 75, who observed the above phenomenon with curiosity!
As a reader or a birder, if you have observed a similar behaviour of the Grebes, do share on our email hbindia@gmail.com. We would be happy to append it to our story with due credit.
Thanks for browsing
- Harsh-the-Ghumakkad with Ansh Bhargava/ Secunderabad/ 18th October 2026
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There is a Dabchick Lake Picnic place in Haryana near Delhi. We had gone there a few times when we were residing at Delhi, a lovely picnic place.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your memories. Hope real Dabchicks survive the mankind in the years to come.
DeleteNatural Instinctis
ReplyDeleteYes, thanks.
DeleteNatures uniqueness
ReplyDeleteThanks Lalit.
DeleteAmazing nature and their power of coordinated activity
ReplyDeleteYes, Nature continues to amaze us.
DeleteThanks.
An interesting story. For me, a TIL moment
ReplyDeleteThanks much Sivaram.
DeleteAppreciate.
The wonders of nature are endless, a timeless masterclass in harmony and balance. If humanity practiced even a fraction of what creation teaches us, earth would truly be paradise regained !
ReplyDeleteVery interesting write up !
So well said Usha.
DeleteMany thanks.
Great observation! These birds certainly don’t beat around the bush! Ravi and Lakshmi
ReplyDeleteGood one Ravi. Loved that.
DeleteThanks for writing.
We r yet to explore the creation !
ReplyDeleteNever too late to explore Nature and its mysteries!
DeleteAll the best.
Wow and Wow Sir, never ending learnings.@ Bajaj
ReplyDeleteThanks much Rakesh for your encouragement. It keeps Ghumakkad going!
DeleteWe have almost destroyed this lake...there cannot be any aquatic life..that the birds can sustain on...what are they eating...there were a few migrating birds also making their way here..have they stopped coming?
ReplyDeleteYes Deepak, the destruction has been wantonly. But some of the birds like Common Coots, Grebes, Pond Herons, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Little Egret, Cattle Egrets, Black Winged Stilts, Glossy Ibis, Spot billed Duck continue to inhabit the lake. Their numbers are certainly reduced. But the silver lining is their presence.
DeleteMigratory birds are still seen. But once again in very small numbers.
Thanks for writing.
Thanks for sharing, Sir
ReplyDeleteThanks for browsing.
DeleteYour piece ‘Going Around In Circles — On Purpose’ was a true joy to read. It takes a remarkably keen eye to notice something as subtle as Little Grebes going in circles from far off, but your curiosity to investigate the 'why'—and then capture it so simply—is what makes your writing stand out.
ReplyDeleteThat seamless blend of keen observation and clear storytelling is a hallmark of all your posts. I’ve read every single one, but this particular piece insisted that I finally leave a comment!
Thank you for sharing such wonderful insights, Sir.
Thanks Ravi for your kind words. You are a regular reader of Ghumakkad. Keep your support coming. It keeps us going.
Deletevery interesting insights to the 'whys and wherefores ' of the behaviour of Little Grebes , Harsh !
ReplyDeleteCircling together to form a net-like approach traps their prey in the middle so that each of the Little Grebes can have its fill to eat. Wonderful community effort!
Thanks for this and other articles on birds and nature, Harsh!
Thanks for your appreciation Trixie. Regards
Delete