Medium-sized sandpiper, larger than stints, of intertidal mudflats and freshwater wetlands with muddy margins, sometimes inland. Distinct cap present in all plumages: vivid chestnut in breeding adult and juvenile, duller brown in nonbreeding adult. Pale feather edges above give the plumage a delicate, artful appearance, as do the neat, dark stippling and chevron patterns of the underparts in breeding plumage. The breast is richly washed with buff in breeding adult and juvenile. Pectoral Sandpiper similar but has sharp demarcation between breast pattern and white belly. Flight call a soft, trilled “trreeep.”