25-28 cm (10-11") Common. Nests on Tundra, winters on coastal beaches, mudflats.
Plump Robin-sized shorebird; straight black bill is slightly longer than head; shows a whitish rump in flight.
Summer: scaled dark back; reddish-brown face, throat and breast; white on lower belly, undertail; dark gray legs.
Winter: scaled grayish upperparts, white underparts; greenish legs.
Song: low harsh "knut" or "kuret".