מצוי למדי בחורף, ליד מקווי מים אך גם בשטחים עירוניים. הולך בשקט לאורך קו המים תוך כדי נדנוד זנבו הארוך מאוד. בכל הלבושים הראש והגב אפורים, עם גבה לבנבנה, וגחון צהוב עז. לזכרים בקיץ גרון שחור. הרגלים חומות. הקריאה דומה לזו של נחליאלי לבן, אך גבוהה ועזה יותר, "זִי-זִי".
Exotic species flags differentiate locally introduced species from native species.
מתאזרח: Exotic population is self-sustaining, breeding in the wild, persisting for many years, and not maintained through ongoing releases (including vagrants from Naturalized populations). These count in official eBird totals and, where applicable, have been accepted by regional bird records committee(s).
ארעי: Either: 1) member of exotic population that is breeding in the wild, self-propagating, and has persisted for multiple years, but not yet Naturalized; 2) rarity of uncertain provenance, with natural vagrancy or captive provenance both considered plausible. When applicable, eBird generally defers to bird records committees for records formally considered to be of "uncertain provenance". Provisional species count in official eBird totals.
פליט שבי: Exotic species known or suspected to be escaped or released, including those that have bred but don't yet fulfill the criteria for Provisional. Escapee exotics do not count in official eBird totals.