This striking large wader features bold black-and-white plumage, a thin, straight bill, and bright pink legs. It inhabits wetlands with open shallow water across much of Africa and Eurasia, often favoring brackish environments. Some populations migrate from northern breeding grounds to warmer southern regions. The bird often forms noisy colonies on bare ground near water. It is essentially unmistakable in most of its range, though it can be compared to the Pied Stilt in parts of Southeast Asia. It feeds by wading in water and picking food from the surface with its needle-like bill. In flight, its long pink legs extend well beyond the tail. It is known for its loud and strident calls, especially when alarmed during the breeding season.