This waterbird has a long, upturned black bill. It is seen in pairs or small groups at lakes and streams in the Andes at 3,000–4,000 m.
It has a white body with black wings and tail, a black bill that curves upward, and long bluish-gray legs.
It uses lake shores, streams, and shallow pools at 3,000–4,000 m, usually in pairs or small groups. It nests on the ground near water.
It forages by wading through shallow water and sweeping its bill from side to side.
It becomes noisy when agitated, especially near its nest.
The sexes look similar, but the female has a more strongly upturned bill than the male.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.