The Hoary-headed Grebe is a diving bird of fresh and brackish waters in Australia. Breeding adults show fine pale streaks on the head.
In breeding plumage, adults have a black head with fine grey-white streaks and a black line on the nape. The upperparts are pale brown-grey and the underparts cream-colored.
It builds floating nests on aquatic vegetation away from shore, sometimes nesting in colonies. It dives for aquatic invertebrates and forms large flocks in the dry season or winter.
The nest is a platform of waterweeds anchored to branches or emergent plants. The usual clutch is 2–4 eggs, incubated by both parents. Adults cover the eggs with wet vegetation when leaving.
It dives for aquatic invertebrates throughout the day, but forages only at the surface when light levels are low. It tends to be silent.
The eyes are whitish. Juveniles have a white throat and chin, with stripes on the face.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.