Medium-sized wader with a long, slightly downcurved bill. Slightly larger than Dunlin, with the longer and finer bill, longer legs. In-flight note large white rump patch. Breeding plumage deep rusty on head and body (like Red Knot). Non-breeding birds are greyish-brown above with white eyebrows and belly. Juvenile is greyish above with neat scaly feather edgings, whitish below with variable buffy wash on breast. Breeds in the Russian tundra and winters in Africa, Australia, and South and Southeast Asia. Mainly in coastal wetland habitats, often with flocks of Dunlin.
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