The genus name is from Ancient Greek kalidris or skalidris, a term used by Aristotle for some grey-coloured waterside birds.

This bird can be difficult to distinguish from other similar tiny shorebirds, in particular the western sandpiper; these are known collectively as "peeps" or "stints".

The male makes several shallow scrapes; the female chooses one and adds grass and other material to line the nest.

[5] They are long distance migrants and winter in coastal South America, with some going to the southern United States and the Caribbean.

[6] During the months of July and August, the Nature Conservancy of Canada runs an information center about these shorebirds in Johnson's Mills, New Brunswick.