Small and unmistakable Andean plover, 17–19 cm in length, with a slender, upright appearance and a long, thin bill slightly decurved. Black head with a striking white band encircling the crown, contrasting with the rufous nape. White throat and finely barred black-and-white underparts. Uniform grayish-brown back. White rump divided by a central vertical brown band, visible in flight. Orange legs. Sexes similar. Juvenile duller, with a less defined crown band, lacking strong rufous tones and with a slightly barred back.
Distribution: Restricted to the central and southern Andes, from central Peru south through Bolivia to central Chile and western Argentina. In Argentina it occurs mainly in Jujuy, Salta, Catamarca, La Rioja, San Juan, and Mendoza. In Tucumán there is a small and little-known population in the Aconquija area and Cumbres Calchaquíes above 4,200 m a.s.l. It performs altitudinal movements: breeding at extreme elevations and descending to lower altitudes in winter.
Habitat: Specialist of humid high-Andean environments: wet meadows, bofedales, marshy areas, and stream edges, generally associated with cushion vegetation (Distichia). Found between 2,500 and 5,000 m a.s.l., in areas with shallow water, soft soils, and dense vegetation.
Behavior: Solitary or in pairs, highly territorial. Discreet habits and easily overlooked due to its cryptic coloration. Prefers to run among vegetation (video) rather than fly; when it does, its flight is short, low, and undulating. Often perches on cushions or small elevations to keep watch. Emits a long, melancholic, and penetrating whistle, audible from a distance. Also produces short, dry calls. In alarm situations, it may emit more intense and higher-pitched whistles.
Feeding: Feeds on small aquatic invertebrates. Forages meticulously, probing vertically into soft substrate with its bill and also capturing prey among vegetation or from the water surface. Usually alone or in pairs.
Breeding: Breeds in the high-Andean puna, mainly between October and December. Nests near water, in a ground depression or small vegetation platform. Clutch consists of two eggs. Chicks are precocial and remain hidden in vegetation under adult supervision.
Conservation status: In Argentina it is categorized as Endangered (EN) due to its low estimated population of fewer than 2,500 mature individuals and its fragmentation into small subpopulations. It is highly dependent on specific high-Andean wetlands, making it very sensitive to environmental changes. Main threats include habitat degradation from uncontrolled tourism, mining, overgrazing, introduction of exotic species, and the water crisis affecting wet meadows and bofedales. Globally it is classified as Near Threatened (NT).
Author of this compilation: Diego Carus and María Belén Dri – 03/04/2026