The stocky build of this species makes it look shorter-billed and shorter-legged than the other golden-plovers. The wing tips extend just beyond the end of the tail, but the short tertials expose four or five primaries, similar to American Golden-Plover. In flight, the white underside of the wings is distinctive. The upperside of the wing has a stronger white stripe than that of other golden-plovers. Alternate Male: Upperparts show extensive golden spangling over a blackish background. White stripe extends from forehead and supercilium down sides of neck, broadening at sides of breast, and continuing along sides to the white undertail coverts. Face, breast and belly are black. Alternate Female: Similar to male, but with much less black on the face. Basic Adult: Dark brown with extensive golden spangles on upperparts. Underparts are whitish to yellowish, and are strongly mottled and barred across breast and along sides. Juvenile: Similar to basic adult, but more extensively barred on underparts. Shows a less distinct facial pattern than that of other juvenile golden-plovers.

Length: 27 (cm) Wingspan: 56 (cm)

Habitat:

Nests on tundra. In migration, uses grassland, farm fields, and occasionally mudflats.

Behavior:

Feeding:

Feeds on invertebrates and berries.