Least Concern — widespread and locally common across wetlands.

30–38 cm in length; a medium-sized waterbird with a dark slate-brown body, red frontal shield and bill tipped yellow, and white flank stripes.

Partly migratory; birds from colder regions migrate south in winter.

Winters in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and warmer lowland wetlands; resident populations remain year-round.

Usually April to September, depending on climate and water levels.

Builds cup-shaped nests hidden in reeds or floating vegetation; clutch typically 5–9 eggs; both parents incubate and care for young.

Found in freshwater lakes, ponds, marshes, canals, rice fields, and slow-moving rivers with dense vegetation.

Omnivorous; feeds on aquatic plants, seeds, algae, along with insects, worms, molluscs, and small fish.