diagnostics
45-65 cm. A medium-sized, cormorant- or grebe-like aquatic bird, with an elongated body, long neck, dagger-like bill and lobed feet with strong claws, set far back on body. Both sexes have 4 mm long carpal claws. Sexes differ in plumage and size. Male has crown and back of neck black with greenish gloss. Mantle dark brown, each feather with whitish sub-terminal spot. Rump and uppertail coverts rufescent brown with small white spots. Lores, throat and foreneck grey, flecked with white. Breast and flanks coarsely barred or streaked. Belly creamy white. Conspicuous white stripe from behind eye down side of neck. Wing dark brown; coverts with creamy spots. Tail blackish and stiff, with amber shafts. Bill coral red. Eyes reddish brown. Legs and feet red-orange, with yellow nails; toes broadly lobed. Non-breeding male has a whiter throat. Adult female similar but neck brown, throat white, ear coverts and stripe down side of neck dark greyish, bordered above by a white line. Bill reddish, upper mandible and tip dusky. Eyes pale reddish brown. Juvenile similar to female but warmer brown above with less distinct white spots (Urban et al. 1986).
