Hooded Grebe (두건논병아리), a Bird That Dances the Tango to Breed

Do you know this bird? This bird is not well-known in Korea, so it doesn't have a formal Korean name. In English, it's called the ‘Hooded Grebe’.

Discovered by an Argentine ornithologist in 1974, the Hooded Grebe lives in the Patagonian plateau. It's a type of grebe, and it got its name because its brown feathers stand up on its head, making it look like it's wearing a hood.

Looking closely, you can see that its head feathers are quite unique. It looks like it's wearing a brown hood over its black head. The hood has a beautiful gradient, transitioning from brown at the top to white at the bottom. Its red eyes are also captivating. Despite its cute appearance, the Hooded Grebe is not that small, measuring about 32cm.

The Hooded Grebe is also famous for its unique breeding behavior. Males and females engage in courtship displays that resemble a tango dance. Unfortunately, the beauty of the Hooded Grebe's dance isn't easy to capture in still photos, so I encourage you to watch a video to see it for yourself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06OSZMF-8NU

Unfortunately, the Hooded Grebe is an endangered species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which manages endangered species, has classified the Hooded Grebe as Critically Endangered (CR). This means that it could face a severe risk of extinction in the wild within a short period. The IUCN estimates that there are between 650 and 800 adult Hooded Grebes. That's a very small number, less than 1,000 worldwide. Thankfully, the population is reportedly stable, but endangered species can easily shift into a declining trend, so continuous monitoring is necessary.

But why has the Hooded Grebe become endangered? One factor is the impact of predators. The introduction of the Hooded Grebe's predators, such as mink, trout, and gulls, to its habitat has led to a significant decline in its population. These predators have also been introduced due to climate change, highlighting the human impact on the Hooded Grebe's plight.

To prevent the introduction of predators and protect the Hooded Grebe, organizations like the International Conservation Fund of Canada (ICFC) are taking measures. These include artificially controlling the introduction of mink to the Patagonian plateau and implementing regulations prohibiting the introduction of trout. They also monitor Hooded Grebes that have built nests. Additionally, efforts to increase the breeding rate include artificially hatching Hooded Grebe eggs in a safe environment. Patagonia National Park is also involved in the Hooded Grebe protection project. They designate Hooded Grebe habitats as protected areas, and the species has been declared a national natural monument.

The cute Hooded Grebe. We hope that thanks to the efforts of many people, it won't face extinction.