Notornis, 18 (3), 175-186
Article Type: Paper
Observations and motion pictures were made on New Zealand dabchicks in August and September 1969. Feeding, agonistic, courtship, and mating behaviour is described and compared with that of other grebes. The two principal courtship ceremonies are the Patter Ceremony and the Diving Ceremony. The former was observed frequently and is common after territorial encounters. The latter may be the ceremony of pair formation and like the former may be important in strengthening the pair bond. These ceremonies differ considerably from those of other grebes studied, but presumably resemble those of the related hoary-headed grebe Podiceps poliocephalus of Australia.