Unique, distinctive shorebird with thick bill, large yellow eye and extremely long legs. Adult: Brown head with bold black lateral crown stripe and white supercillium. Dark bill with yellow base. Streaky brownish neck. Back and wings have dark feathers with pale edges, creating a strong pattern. Streaky grayish breast and clean white belly. Dark tail with white band. In flight, shows white underwing and one white bar on outer primaries and one on inner primaries. Juvenile: Much paler than adult. Greenish legs and base to bill.

Length: 42 (cm) Wingspan: 86 (cm)

Habitat:

Dry fields, savannas, open agricultural areas, grasslands and pastures.

Behavior:

Primarily nocturnal. Usually forages after dark, using a run-stop-pick-run method. Often roosts on ground during daylight. Runs away from danger rather than flying.

Feeding:

Diet consists of insects, worms, small mammals, lizards and mollusks.