The silvery grebe (Podiceps occipitalis) is a species of grebe in the family Podicipedidae. It is found in the western and southern part of South America where it inhabits lakes and other types of open wetlands. There are two subspecies, which by some recent authorities are considered separate species.
Taxonomy and subspecies
There are two subspecies, although some authorities such as the IUCN recognizes them as separate species:
Northern silvery grebe, P. o. juninensis, (von Berlepsch & Stolzmann, 1894) – Andean highlands at altitudes of 3,000–5,000 m (9,800–16,400 ft) from Colombia to north-west Argentina and northern Chile.
Southern silvery grebe, P. o. occipitalis, (Garnot, 1826) – at altitudes up to 1,500 m (4,900 ft) in central & southern parts of Chile and Argentina, and in the Falkland Islands. Partially migratory, with wintering range as far north as southern Brazil, southern Bolivia and Paraguay.
