A small bird patterned in black, white, and gray. Adult males have white underparts and face contrasting with an obvious black neck-band which extends around from the back of the head. Females have a gray head with white below the bill and a smaller black patch on the breast. The female’s underparts are less brilliant—more of a ‘dirty white.’ This species is typically found in small groups in salt marsh habitats across southern Australia. May also occur in other areas with low, wet vegetation, such as open farmland.