[2] This bird resembles a plover, but has very long grey legs and a strong heavy black bill similar to a tern.

Its black-and-white plumage and long-necked upright posture with heavy bill makes it distinctive and unmistakable.

They are gregarious and will feed in large groups, at night and during dawn and dusk as well as during the day; this crepuscular and nocturnal behaviour is more common during the breeding season.

They breed around the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, Red Sea and Somalia in the months of April to July then disperse across the Indian Ocean in August as far as the Andaman Islands and Sri Lanka in the east and Tanzania and Madagascar.

[5] The chicks are also unique for the usually nidifugous waders in being unable to walk and remain in the nest for several days after hatching, having food brought to them.