Very large mostly white waterbird with black wingtips. Head is disproportionately large with a huge, long bill with extensible pouch and, in breeding season, horn on upper mandible. Neck long, crooked in flight. Body mostly white; immatures have dusky markings on wings. Bill and skin around eye orange to fleshy pink. Legs short and webbed, orange to fleshy-pink. Tail short. In flight, wings broad and white with black wingtips and trailing edges.

Length: 155 (cm) Wingspan: 274 (cm)

Voice:

Mostly silent away from nesting colonies; display calls short and hoarse. Nestlings utter whines and groans.

Habitat:

Shallow lakes, marshes and rivers. Winters along warm, coastal bays and estuaries.

Behavior:

Gregarious. Nests in dense colonies. Cooperatively forage; flocks drive fish toward shore or in circle where easier to catch. Scoops up fish by dipping head underwater. Fishes at night during breeding season. Flocks may be seen soaring very high overhead as they circle lazily on thermals.

Feeding:

Diet mostly consists of fish; may eat crayfish or salamanders.