Australasian crested grebe/kāmana
Introduction
The Australasian crested grebe is a diving water bird. Lake Pearson/Moana Rua in Canterbury has been designated a wildlife refuge to help protect the grebe.New Zealand status: Native
Conservation status: Threatened–Nationally Vulnerable
Population: Fewer than 1,000 in New Zealand in 2012
Found in: Alpine and sub-alpine lakes in the South Island of New Zealand, and Australia
Threats: Predation, habitat loss, human disturbance
Sound recordings:
Australasian crested grebe song (MP3, 862K)
00:54 – Pair display call on Lake Alexandrina with adult male giving a growling call
Our bird songs can be reused, even commercially, according to our copyright terms.
Species information: Australasian crested grebe on NZ Birds Online
Australasian crested grebe/kāmana conservation
Did you know?
Chicks are ferried around on their parent's back.
Widespread but declining
The Australasian crested grebe or kāmana are found on every continent in the world. Māori call the birds kāmana, and regard them as taonga/treasure.
They are found all over the South Island of New Zealand, and they are fully protected. They live on lakes of various sizes but require vegetation along the lake margins for nesting and shelter from rough weather. They attach their floating nests to underwater vegetation.
At least 100 South Island lakes once had grebes but there have been ongoing declines in Marlborough, the West Coast and in Fiordland. Only Canterbury and Otago remain as strongholds.
Kāmana have declined mainly due to introduced predators; and loss habitat loss through drainage of wetlands and the establishment of hydro schemes.
Animals like stoats, ferrets, cats, and raptors can prey on eggs and fledglings. Introduced fish and birds compete for food and breeding space.
Nests can be stranded or flooded by artificial fluctuations in lake levels. Motorised water craft can swamp nests and destroy eggs. and the noise can scare adult birds leaving eggs or chicks exposed to the cold or predators.
Lake Pearson wildlife refuge
Lake Pearson/Moana Rua in Canterbury has been designated a wildlife refuge to help protect the grebe. Their numbers appear to have remained stable here for several decades.
Wildlife refuge status is one of New Zealand’s highest forms of legal protection for terrestrial and aquatic wildlife habitats. This allows the Minister of Conservation to prohibit or restrict activities on the lake and its margins.
For instance, there are restrictions on motorised boats on the lake and together with predator control measures, this will hopefully allow grebes to increase their numbers in years to come.
You can help
When visiting grebe habitat, move quietly and carefully around lake edges.
Emergency hotline
Call 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) immediately if you see anyone catching, harming or killing native wildlife.
On your property
- Trap predators on your property.
- Be a responsible cat owner.
In your community
- Find and volunteer with your local community group
- Trap predators in your community
- Get kids or schools involved
See Predator Free 2050 Trust - get involved for information.
Visiting parks, beaches, rivers, and lakes
- Check for pests when visiting pest-free islands.
- Leave nesting birds alone.
- Use available access ways to get to the beach.
- Avoid leaving old fishing lines on beaches or in the sea.
- Follow the water care code and local navigation bylaws.
- Do not drive on riverbeds, or keep to formed tracks if you have to.
With your dog
- Only take dogs to areas that allow them, and keep them under control.
- If you come across wildlife put your dog on a lead and lead it away.
- Warn other dog owners at the location.
- Notify DOC if you see wildlife being harassed by people or dogs.
- Get your dog trained in avian awareness.
- Learn about the Lead the Way programme which encourages dog owners to become wildlife wise and know how to act to protect coastal wildlife.
Specific ways to keep wildlife safe while with your dog on beaches.
