Unmistakable. A large, stocky, all-black shorebird with a long, bright red bill and strong, pale pink legs. Upperparts usually with a brownish tinge. Eyes bright yellow with a reddish eye-ring. Juveniles are similar to adults, but their upperparts show pale brown edging and buffy tips to the coverts; bill and legs are duller. Wings appear rather broad and rounded in flight.

Length: 45 (cm) Wingspan: 81 (cm)

Voice:

A series of loud, clear, piping whistles, "wheep wheep wheep", occasionally a disyllabic "cleeyo." Display call a rapid series of accelerating "peep" or "wheep" calls.

Habitat:

Nests mainly on rocky islands. On migration and in winter on exposed rocky coasts and islands, occasionally on sandy or pebbly beaches; rarely visits mudflats.

Behavior:

Forages singly or in small groups on rocky shorelines, sometimes in the company of surfbirds and turnstones. Pairs or small groups often perform spectacular aerial displays over the water, calling incessantly.

Feeding:

Forages deliberately on rocky substrate along the water's edge, using the long bill as a chisel to pry open molluscs. Mainly takes mussels and limpets.