In adult birds in mating attire, the head, neck, nape, entire underside and tail are white. Beak and iris yellow, and red eye ring. The legs are yellow. The upper part of the body is light gray. Young birds have gray-brown plumage. Feathers of the upper part of the body are dark brown with light edges. The wings are black and brown. The tail and the base of the tail are white. Chest and sides are covered with brown spots, abdomen and tail are white. Beak black, legs flesh-colored, irises dark.