A very small shorebird found in both inland and coastal wetlands, as well as estuaries. During the breeding season, the adult male is striking with a vivid orange head that is bordered with dark stippling (unlike the Little Stint, there are no dark markings within the orange area), and features bright orange and gold tones in the upperwing coverts. Outside the breeding season, the adult is gray on top and pale below, while juveniles are similar but with a richer gray-brown coloration on the upperparts and neat pale edges on the feathers. In flight, it produces a high-pitched, raspy “krreeet” call.