A massive, long-necked,mostly black waterfowl with varying amounts of white on the head, belly, and wings. It has a warty red bill, face, and legs. In flight, the white forewings combined with the black body differentiate it from other regional waterfowl. The male is much larger than the female. It forages mostly for plant matter in a variety of wetland habitats and moist grasslands. Size and plumage make it distinctive amongst African waterfowl.