A distinctive common little bird found around inland waterholes and seen year round. Can be seen flying low over the ground or water.

The adult bird is sandy on the crown and back, with darker streaks. The distinctive head pattern, with black forehead and short central crown stripe and black marking through the eyes, that extend down the nape and broaden into a V-shaped breast band. The ‘white eyebrows’, cheeks and throat, adds to this distinctive bird. The immature bird lacks the black markings.

Its two-tone mottled brown feathers blend in with sand and pebbles at the water's edge.