There are two subspecies: M. m. melanodera in the Falkland Islands and M. m. princetoniana in southern Argentina and Chile.

It is common throughout the Falklands where it occurs up to about 150 m (490 ft) above sea level but is most often found in coastal areas.

On the South American mainland, it is thinly distributed up to 580 m (1,900 ft) above sea level in Magallanes Region in Chile and Santa Cruz Province in Argentina.

It is typically found in flat areas of grassland, heathland, farmland, or dunes.

Three or four eggs are laid and are usually blue-grey or grey-green with purple-brown markings towards the larger end.