The black double breast band, grey cheeks and conspicuous red eye-ring and base to the bill are distinctive. In flight, the tail shows white outer tips and edges; it has a very narrow, white wing bar. The rump and tail appear elongate in flight, resembling Common Ringed Plover.
Juvenile is a duller version of adult but lacks the red eye-ring.
On most water bodies with sandy or pebbly margins. Rare on open coast.
A penetrating, high pitched 'weee-weet' whistle.