The grebe's scientific name is Podiceps taczanowskii. It is a bird which looks very much like a duck. It lives in a high altitude freshwater lake in Perú, called Lago Junín. It's the only place where it can be found. It is of around 33 to 38 cm long, it weighs 0.40 kg and can't fly.

It is thought that there may be 300 birds left. It is considered to be critically endangered because of the polluting of the lake by iron oxide-laden mine waste and because of the changes in water- level because of a hydro-electrical plant supplying the mines. The grebe feeds on insects, crustaceans and fish. The Grebe usually lays 2 eggs on floating vegetation. It is a sociable bird that spends most of its life in small flocks.

To preserve this bird, the lake has been made a national reserve. A Peruvian conservation group: Perú Verde, is looking for ways to help the species recover.

Written by: Guillermo and Nicolás