Erratic flight if flushed; drops sharply. Long bill; brown base. Dark brown crown, eye-stripe, cheek stripe. Pale cream face. Body cryptically mottled. Scapulars pale-edged. Pale belly, barred flanks. Rufous sub-terminal tail band, white tip projects beyond wing-tips. Non-breeding: Plainer, less contrast. Size: 29-33cm. Voice: Rasping ‘shek’. Habitat: Fresh wetlands, saltmarsh.
