This snipe lives in high Andean wetlands. When startled, it takes off suddenly and flies in a zigzag. It nests on the ground near water.
Its plumage is brown and ochre, with white areas on the underside.
It uses marshes and swamps at about 3,000–4,000 m. When startled, it rises suddenly in a zigzag flight and nests on the ground near water, lining the nest with grass.
During territorial dives, the male produces a strong blowing mechanical sound as air passes through its tail feathers.
At La Angostura, Argentina, three nests were found in September 2022: two held two eggs each, and the third held two eggshells. The nests were shallow ground depressions with cut grass among vegetation. Eggs were olive-brown with brown spots and lines.
The black bill has a yellow base and the legs are yellowish. An ochre stripe runs along the dark brown crown; the eyebrow and throat are whitish, and brown or cinnamon bars cross the flanks beside the white belly.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.