Large with a long black neck and white cheek patch. Body brown with paler chest and white undertail. Legs and feet black.
© Max McCarthy | Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, February 24, 2017Evenly dark brown body with limited contrast with the black neck.
© Liam Singh | Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, November 05, 2016Individuals can vary greatly in size. Note smoothly sloping transition between bill and forehead. Forages by dabbling, or reaching into shallow water to eat vegetation.
© Timothy G Laman | Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, April 19, 2009Not all videos have soundWhen alert sits with neck stretched up straight.
© Alix d'Entremont | Macaulay LibraryNova Scotia, April 12, 2015In flight shows a prominent white "U" on the dark uppertail, contrasting with the black tail.
© Brian Collins | Macaulay LibraryWisconsin, February 18, 2017Gathers in large flocks that communicate via raucous honking. Note considerable size variation among flock members.
© Benjamin M Clock | Macaulay LibraryNew York, November 16, 2006Not all videos have soundChicks are fluffy and yellowish, with black legs and bill.
© Jason Bidgood | Macaulay LibraryColorado, April 25, 2017Often found near human habitation, and can be aggressive when threatened.
© Nick Rosen | Macaulay LibraryNevada, February 11, 2017The female lines the nest with down feathers plucked from her own breast.
© David O Brown | Macaulay LibraryNew York, May 01, 2004Not all videos have soundSometimes nests on raised platforms or in trees.
© Kent McFarland | Macaulay LibraryVermont, May 07, 2012Often found in large flocks on a variety of water bodies.
© Daniel Jauvin | Macaulay LibraryQuebec, March 25, 2017In addition to foraging in the water, both adults and chicks forage on land, eating grass as well as seeds, berries, waste corn, and other plant foods.
© Jay W McGowan | Macaulay LibraryNew York, May 27, 2015Not all videos have sound