Usually resident throughout the year. Lives in marshy, swampy places.
Head and throat white, with long black crest.—Very long neck covered with light gray feathers—darker on chest—back, ashy gray—darker wings—a touch of red on bend of wings and legs.
Long legs, which are black.
Long bill, which is yellow, sharp, and strong.
Food—mostly fish, frogs, and small reptiles. Feeds near sunset.
Nest very simple—sometimes directly on ground or rocks—at other times a rickety platform of sticks.
Eggs blue-green—four in number—young helpless for at least three weeks after hatching.