The Spotted Redshank is a medium-sized, elegant wading bird, slightly larger than a Redshank. In summer, adults are almost entirely black, except for some white spots on the wings, a white wedge on the back that is visible in flight, and a striped tail. In winter, they have a grey back and paler underparts, with a more prominent eye stripe than a Redshank. Unlike the Redshank, they do not have white wing stripes.