It is a very large-bodied, snow-white-feathered bird. Its beak is orange, (larger in the male) the beak spot and the base of the beak are black. It bends its long neck gracefully in an S shape. Its beak usually points downwards. When swimming, its wings swell and form a curve. It usually prefers lakes. In winter, it is common in well-protected bays, open marshes, lakes and ponds, streams, estuaries and coastal areas. Although hundreds of individuals are found in open salt waters in winter, they do not migrate en masse. When swimming, they hold their necks in a gentle curve with their beaks pointing downwards.
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