Least Concern

Very small sandpiper, about 12–14 cm long with a wingspan of 28–30 cm. Has short black legs, a fine black bill, and brownish-grey upperparts in non-breeding plumage; breeding adults show rufous and black mantle feathers.

A long-distance migrant that breeds in the high Arctic tundra of northern Europe and Asia, including Scandinavia and Siberia.

Winters in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, and coastal regions of the Arabian Peninsula. Common winter visitor across Indian wetlands.

Breeds from June to August. Nests on the ground in dry tundra with sparse vegetation near freshwater pools. Lays 3–4 eggs.

Arctic tundra and northern boreal zones with access to small pools and moist ground.

In winter, occurs in mudflats, freshwater lakes, saltpans, marshes, and flooded paddy fields. Often forms mixed flocks with other small waders.

Feeds mainly on insects, larvae, small crustaceans, worms, and mollusks, picked from mud or shallow water using rapid probing movements.