This seabird breeds on the Antarctic Peninsula, the South Shetland Islands, and Elephant Island. Its upperparts are glossy black and its throat and belly white; it feeds on fish and benthic animals near coasts and pack ice.
The upperparts are black with green, blue or purple iridescence. The throat, front of the neck, chest, belly and undertail coverts are white. The dark horn-coloured bill has a yellow-orange caruncle. The legs and feet are reddish salmon-coloured, with black claws.
It lives near coasts, islands, and pack ice and generally stays nearby. Its account lists fish as the main food, along with benthic animals such as crustaceans and cephalopods.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.