This diving waterbird catches fish. In South Africa, the subspecies present swims with only its long neck and head above the water.
When swimming, only its long S-shaped neck and head show above the water; its bill is long and pointed. Adults are mostly glossy black with white streaks and flecks. Males have a burnt-orange neck with a white stripe from the eye down the side to mid-neck.
It dives in shallow lakes, swamps, and slow rivers, feeding mainly on fish. It forages alone.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.