A sandpiper that migrates from northern breeding grounds to Australia. In its Australian non-breeding range it forages in coastal and inland wetlands.
It has a sturdy body, a long bill that turns slightly upward, and pale grey-green legs. The back and wings are pale grey-brown, with a white belly.
It wades in shallow water for molluscs, crustaceans, and insects, sometimes bobbing its head while feeding alone. When it takes off, it flies in a zigzag with clipped wingbeats.
On British breeding grounds the usual clutch is three to four eggs. Incubation is mainly by the female, with occasional male participation, and typically lasts 24–26 days.
The nest is a shallow ground scrape, often lined with a few feathers. Active chicks leave within a few hours of hatching.
Outside the breeding season it eats crustaceans, small fish and worms, sometimes running through shallow water to catch shrimps and fish.
A white V extends from the rump up the back in flight. The sexes look alike, and breeding plumage has black streaks on the breast.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.