The adult has a chestnut coloured back, with lighter coloured patches. A black striped head, with a chestnut crown and a whitish stripe above the eyes. A white breast with dark brown stripes. It has a very distinctive black patch on the belly. In flight, the wing band and the white rump, divided by a dark band, can be clearly seen. A short black bill, curved slightly downwards. Black legs. In winter, the upperparts have a greyish brown plumage. A greyish breast with darker coloured stripes. White underparts. The juvenile is very similar to the adult in nuptial plumage, but with darker upperparts and with a lighter coloured "V" on the back. A browner breast, and with dark stripes which spread over the belly and sides.

During the breeding season it can be found in wetlands (water holes, lakes and rivers) both on the tundra and on moorlands and lowlands. Also along the coast (salt flats, beaches and mud flats). During winter and the migratory passage, on coasts, all kinds of continental flat-waters and flooded arable croplands (irrigated rice and corn fields etc.).