32 CMS.,DARK PLUMAGE APART FROM THE WHITE UNDERTAIL,YELLOW LEGS AND A RED FRONTAL SHIELD.THE YOUNG ARE BROWNER AND LACK THE RED SHIELD.FRONTAL SHIELD OF THE ADULT HAS A ROUNDED TOP AND FAIRLY PARALLEL SIDES;THE TAILWARD MARGIN OF THE RED UNFEATHERED AREA IS A SMOOTH WAVING LINE.FOUND AROUND LAKES AND JHEELS WITH OPEN WATER AND FRINGING MARSHY VEGETATION.THEY CONSUME A WIDE VARIETY OF VEGETABLE MATERIAL AND SMALL AQUATIC CREATURES.THEY FORAGE BESIDE OR IN THE WATER,SOMETIMES WALKING ON LILYPADS OR UPENDING IN WATER TO FEED.THEY ARE OFTEN SECRETIVE,BUT CAN BECOME TAME IN SOME AREAS.