Rollandia microptera
The Titicaca Grebe (*Rollandia microptera*) is a truly unique and critically endangered waterbird, renowned for its flightlessness and strict endemism to the high-altitude Lake Titicaca. Measuring between 28 to 45 cm in length and weighing 400 to 600 grams, this medium-sized grebe exhibits dark slate-grey upperparts, a contrasting white belly, and distinctive rufous-chestnut flanks. Key identification marks include a dark cap extending below the eye, a prominent white stripe across the cheek ...
Strictly confined to large, high-altitude (around 3,800 m ASL) freshwater lakes and associated wetlands, primarily characterized by extensive beds of emergent totora reeds (*Schoenoplectus californicus ssp. tatora*).
Primarily piscivorous, feeding on small fish, particularly native *Orestias* species, supplemented by aquatic invertebrates and crustaceans. Prey is caught via pursuit-diving underwater.
Titicaca Grebes are diurnal birds, spending their days foraging and maintaining territories within the dense reed beds of Lake Titicaca. They are expert pursuit-divers, actively swimming underwater to capture prey using their powerful feet. During the breeding season, they become highly territori...
The Titicaca Grebe's entire global range is restricted to the high-altitude Andean Altiplano, specifically Lake Titicaca, which straddles the border between southeastern Peru and northwestern Bolivia. While historically also found in nearby smaller lakes like Lago Poopó, these populations are now...
Endangered
- The Titicaca Grebe is one of the world's only truly flightless grebe species, having evolved tiny, vestigial wings unsuited for aerial locomotion. - It is strictly endemic to Lake Titicaca and a few smaller, interconnected high-altitude wetlands on the Peru-Bolivia border, making it a true regi...