[2] This plover breeds in western and central Asia and migrates southward to eastern and southern Africa to escape the northern winter.

Its range includes southern Russia, Turkey, Iran, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.

Its habitat is steppes, desert verges, saltpans and saline soils amongst sparse shrubby vegetation up to an altitude of about 800 m (2,625 ft).

It breeds on open grassland in central Asia, mainly to the north and east of the Caspian Sea.

It breeds in loose colonies, with three eggs being laid in a nest on the bare ground or among short vegetation.