A medium to large water bird; 28-33 cm TL; 166-328 g; sexes are alike in appearance. Head and neck: Forehead, face, and throat white; crown and nape grey; eye dark brown; bill greenish yellow; red spot on the base of top bill.
Body: Back and wing coverts grey; rump dark brown; breast and abdomen white. undertail coverts dark reddish brown.
Limbs and tail: Legs and feet yellow; toes long; tail short, dark reddish brown.