A long-necked waterbird known for its showy breeding feathers.
In breeding plumage, it has a dark crest and broad cheek ruffs. The sexes look similar, but males have larger ornaments. In winter plumage the cheek ruffs are absent and the plumage is black and white.
It dives for fish and builds a floating nest among aquatic plants.
During courtship, the sexes face each other, spread their cheek ruffs, and shake their heads from side to side. They also rise up holding nesting material and synchronise preening.
Incubation lasts about 25–29 days and starts before the clutch is complete, so chicks hatch on different days. Chicks spend about three weeks on a parent’s back; the brood may later be divided between the parents.
Chicks have striped faces and reddish patches on the crown and in front of the eyes.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.