New Zealand Dabchick (Poliocephalus rufopectus)
Other name: Weweia
Curious New Zealand dabchicks will often approach a quiet observer for closer inspection giving an alert photographer time for a few exposures. On this frosty morning I was in position in waist deep water over an hour before the first rays of sunlight lit up the background trees, ensuring the resident birds were not alarmed by a rushed approach in daylight.
This small member of the grebe family is one of my favourite photographic subjects. A threatened endemic found only in New Zealand's North Island, it has a total population of less than 2000 individuals. Despite its sparse distribution, they are fairly easy to find in sheltered bays of the lakes around Taupo and Rotorua, often in pairs or family groups amongst New Zealand scaup (Aythya novaeseelandiae). They can also be found on lakes, farm ponds, and sewage oxidation ponds throughout much of North Island, but these are not quite as enticing to photographers as the clear lakes of the Volcanic Plateau. Like all grebes they are aquatic specialists and spend virtually all their time on (or under) water. Propelled by large lobed feet they often surface a surprising distance from where they dived. Only once have I seen one fly. A spectacular effort that lasted about four seconds, rising to about 50 cm above the lake surface. They are actually capable fliers, some travelling between lakes in winter but only under cover of darkness. Their reluctance to take flight even when disturbed means they don't seem to be significantly affected by duck shooting.
Food consists mostly of small fish and aquatic invertebrates which are usually caught on dives lasting 20 to 30 seconds. Chicks can swim and dive soon after hatching and can often be seen riding on their parents backs. Adults are endearing little birds, but a stripy chick nestled on a parents back is cute almost beyond words.
Like all grebes, New Zealand dabchicks have lobbed toes (not webbed like ducks) positioned well back on the body. By sitting low in the water I was able to use the reflection from some lush green trees on the far bank and the dabchick was relaxed and displayed interesting behaviour.
The best way to get close is to get in the water with them. Many water birds are easier to approach from the water than land. Dabchicks are no exception, especially where they are accustomed to human activity, often swimming up close to investigate the strange object in their territory. If they are satisfied that there is no danger they will often go about their normal activity—preening, feeding, and chattering softly to each other only a few meters away. Wading can also help get a low shooting angle for intimate eye level photos with soft out of focus backgrounds. It also opens up a whole new set of angles, light, and habitat to use in photographs that the land based photographer will never have. Wading into a lake with heavy, expensive camera equipment might be more than some people are willing to risk, but the results can be very rewarding. It is almost always best when using large telephoto lenses to have them securely mounted to a sturdy tripod to minimise camera shake. This is especially so when standing in water, where cold, fatigue, and hidden obstacles could result in a disastrous dunking. Move slowly, one foot at a time, and always make sure the tripod is positioned securely before doing anything else.
You can see more dabchick photos in my photo gallery.
References and further reading
Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds. Volume 1, Ratites to ducks. Published 1990 by Oxford University Press.
The Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand, by Barrie Heather and Hugh Robertson. Published 1996 by Viking.
Birds of New Zealand Locality Guide, by Stuart Chambers. Published 1989 by Arun Books.
Reader's Digest Complete Book of New Zealand Birds. Published 1985 by Reader's Digest.