A fairly large, black-and-white wader with very long, red legs and a thin, pointed, black bill. In flight, black underwings contrast with white underparts, and long legs trail conspicuously. Head and neck vary from pure white to predominantly dusky, occasionally has a black line down the nape. Sexes alike, but females have duller wings.
Juveniles and immatures have greyish nape, greyish-pink legs and brownish wings with pale trailing edges.
35 – 40 cm. 150 – 195 g. 75 cm wingspan.
Common resident and local nomad at estuaries, marshes, vleis, saltpans and on flooded ground. Often common at man-made impoundments, especially sewage works. Breeds on the ground on islands and mud patches, often in loose colonies. Regional populations can be up to 15,000 birds.
Birds of Southern Africa (2020).
F*CK FISH 