Medium-sized brownish wader with a white belly, varied pale spotting and spangling on back. In flight shows plain upperwings, square white rump patch. Legs greenish yellow. Breeds in bogs and marshes in open coniferous and mixed forests. Migrants and wintering birds occur in varied wetland habitats, especially with grassy and other vegetation cover. Walks in shallow water, picking with its bill. Mainly found as singles or small flocks, not mixed with other species. Bobs tail when nervous, but not habitually like Common Sandpiper.