Diagnostic, squarish head profile with flat crown, high bill base, steep forehead in all plumages. Male unmistakable with white and orange-buff underparts, white head with dark eye-patch, black collar and black back. Female mottled brown, but distinguished by head profile and blue wingbar with white edges. Identifiable at a distance by its habit of holding the tail raised clear of the water like a dabbling duck.

Male seldom heard. Display sound probably a clear whistle rising slightly and then falling in pitch, a bit like Golden Plover. Female more noisy with indistinct guttural sounds.

Display-calls:

Xeno-canto: map

Birdlife ecology

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Video IBC

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Sound search at Xeno-canto

Sounds:Recorded by Andrew Spencer,http://www.xeno-canto.org ,CC license