[1] This species is found in South America, breeding from Argentine and Chilean Patagonia, the Falkland Islands and Uruguay.

In winter, its range extends up to the coasts of north Chile and central Brazil.

[2] Its natural habitats include freshwater lakes, intertidal marshes, river banks, and open fields.

Their diet consists primarily of insects, carrion, and food items obtained through kleptoparasitism from other birds.

In particular they steal crabs from the red-gartered coot (Fulica armillata) and clams from the American oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus).