A small grebe, Miobaptus huzhiricus sp. nov., is described from the uppermost Lower Miocene–lower Middle Miocene of Olkhon Island (Lake Baikal; Tagai locality). This fossil grebe differs from all extant representatives of the family in several morphological features, which indicate a stem position of the genus Miobaptus in the phylogenetic tree of Podicipediformes. This Asian record of the genus Miobaptus, which was initially described from the Lower Miocene of Central Europe, is evidence of wide distribution of at least some genera of water birds in the Burdigalian of Eurasia. A review of the Miocene and Pliocene fossil record of Podicipedidae is provided. The previously undescribed grebe from the Middle Miocene of the Steinheim locality in Germany is also referred to the genus Miobaptus, although it possesses more derived morphology compared to M. huzhiricus. The genus Miobaptus partially bridges the morphological gap between Podicipedidae and other avian taxa, for example, Palaelodidae. Early evolution of Podicipedidae is discussed.