A medium-sized, beautifully plumaged shorebird found in grassy fields and marshes. Both males and females feature a bright white “comma” around the eye and white underparts that curve upward over the shoulder. Similar to phalaropes, the male is much less vibrant than the female. The female sports a striking reddish-brown head and a greenish-tinged back and wings, while the male has a more subdued light brown head and brown upperparts adorned with orange and tan spots, resembling a snipe. During display, the female produces a series of owl-like hoots.