Dabchick (Little Grebe) Tachybaptus ruficollis

They belong to the family Podicipedidae, with 19 possibly 20 specie found world-wide. They are found in pairs or alone but large bodies of water may contain upto 100 individuals. Dabchick is found over the majority of Eurasia and Africa except dry desert areas. They can also be found in non-breeding flocks of upto 600 individuals. They are said to follow hippo through water, feeding on small animals forced upwards. They breed mainly from Febuary to June in the Djuma area, with both sexes doing the incubation. They can either be resident in an area or are nomadic and common when seen. Their main diet is small frogs and tadpoles.