This large, long-legged wader inhabited the marshes and river deltas of Java, and possibly Sumatra and Timor.

[2] In an assessment dated 1 October 2016, the IUCN justified the classification: This conspicuous species has not been recorded since 1940, and it is likely to have declined severely owing to extensive habitat degradation and destruction, probably compounded by significant hunting pressure.

Any remaining population is likely to be tiny, and for these reasons it is treated as Critically Endangered.The IUCN clarifies by citing "unconfirmed reports" by locals from 2013.

While acknowledging that finding live individuals is "unlikely", insight gained from observations in the 1920s may point to additional habitats not previously considered.

[4] However, a 2018 study, citing previous patterns of bird population decline and the lack of any confirmed sightings, recommended uplisting the species to Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct).