Description
provided by World Register of Marine Species
Length: 35-41 cm. Plumage: above pale grey with white collar on hind neck and black crown and crest (non-breeding bird with white forecrown and white streaking on hind crown; crest remains black); below white. Immature with brown mottling on upper wing and back. Bare parts: iris dark brown; bill orange-yellow to orange; feet and legs black with yellow soles. Habitat: creeks, estuaries and offshore waters, extends somewhat inland in places. Resident breeder in Red Sea and Somalia, visitor rest of east coast.
Urban, E. K.; Fry, C. H.; Keith, S. (1986). The Birds of Africa, Volume II. Academic Press, London.
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