The big bird began to ruffle its throat feathers and open its bill, but no sound came.

More dramatically, when calling, fish crows tend to hunch and fluff their throat feathers.

The throat feathers are also erected to form a beard.

Although males and females appear similar, the blue throat feathers of the male show higher ultraviolet reflectivity than those of the female.

This colour extends on to the slightly hanging throat feathers to form the "beard".

It is larger than the nominate form, but has relatively short throat feathers (hackles).

They also fluff their throat feathers when calling like Fish Crows, only more so.

The sexes are similar, but juveniles have dusky bases to the throat feathers.

At close range it can be seen that the latter has longer throat feathers, a fact particularly noticeable when it sings.

The adult male has a purple head, face, "beard" (long hanging throat feathers), breast and upper belly.