Tachybaptus is a genus of small members of the grebe family birds. The genus name is from Ancient Greek takhus "fast" and bapto "to sink under". It has representatives over much of the world, including the tropics. These grebes breed in small colonies in heavily vegetated areas of freshwater lakes. They may move to more open or coastal waters when not breeding, and birds in those areas where the waters freeze may be migratory.