A chunky, stocky, mid-sized shorebird of the Pacific Coast. Alternate Adult is well-patterned below with crisp chevron-shaped spots, and has rufous shoulder patch, finely streaked gray head and breast, gray wings, short tail, short yellow-based bill, and yellow legs. Basic Adult is plain gray overall with fine gray streaks on white belly; note structure, short bill, and yellow legs. Juvenile is similar to Basic Adult but more crisply marked with pale-edged wing feathers. In flight, note conspicuous white-based tail and narrow white wing stripes.

Length: 25 (cm) Wingspan: 66 (cm)

Voice:

Nasal, quiet, chattering, and whistled notes.

Habitat:

Breeds on mountainous rocky tundra. Winters along rocky shorelines and jetties.

Behavior:

Nest is a rocky, lined depression on tundra. In winter, often flocks with Black Turnstones and Rock Sandpipers, running and picking along rocks at surf line.

Feeding:

Picks along rocks at edge of surf, sometimes running or flying up before breaking waves. Eats a variety of insects, barnacles, crustaceans, and other small aquatic organisms.