General: 18-21 inches in length.

Male Alternate: Gray-brown body. Paler, sandy-brown head and neck. Black rump, upper and undertail coverts. Black bill. White belly. White speculum. Orange legs and feet. Plumage worn from fall through early summer.

Male Basic: Similar to adult female.

Female: Mottled gray-brown and white body. Gray bill with orange edges. White belly. White speculum.

Juveniles: Similar to adult female.

Lakes, marshes, ponds, and rivers.

Nesting

9-11 cream-white eggs. The eggs have a 24-27 day incubation period. Fledging occurs in 48-56+ days. The nest is made from grass and lined with down.