This is the smallest shorebird. The bill is short and slightly decurved, and comes to a fine point. The short wings show no primary projection, and barely reach the end of the tail. The legs vary from yellowish to greenish straw-colored, but this can be concealed by mud. Alternate Adult: Rich brown and black upperparts, with rufous and buff edges on scapulars and wing coverts. Feather wear causes these edges to be worn away, making the bird look darker overall. The face shows an indistinct whitish supercilium and dark loral area. The breast is streaked with rich brown, forming a bib, sometimes suggesting a miniature Pectoral Sandpiper. The belly and undertail areas are white. Basic Plumage: Dull gray-brown upperparts and breast. Paler margins give the upperparts a slightly scaly look. Some individuals have darker feather centers, creating streaks. Belly and undertail are white. Juvenal Plumage: Similar to alternate adult, with bright rufous feather edges on the back, scapulars, wing coverts, and tertials. White margins along the scapulars form a "V" on the back. Buffy breast is streaked on the sides. White belly and undertail.

Length: 13 (cm) Wingspan: 28 (cm)

Voice:

Call is an ascending prreeet, often double-noted.

Habitat:

Edges of lakes and wetlands, mudflats with vegetation. Breeds in sedge meadows and bogs.

Behavior:

Forms small flocks. Usually keeps to the edges of large mixed shorebird flocks.

Feeding:

Feeds in very shallow water and drier edges of mudflats. Crouches down with feet far forward, as if picking food items from between its toes.