Characterization: Small species measuring about 15 cm in length. It has a white head, a black stripe over its eyes, and a light gray back.

Distribution: It occurs in eastern Brazil, typical of the Northeast on the edge of waterholes and dams, south to Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Minas Gerais.

Habitat: This bird inhabits the muddy edges of rivers or ponds. It can be found in parks and gardens in urban centers. It is an open space bird.

Habits: This bird runs on floating vegetation. The male lifts itself up the entire length of its extended tail making the shape of a fan and displays the lower dark side of its wings, stretching them horizontally.

Diet: It feeds on small arthropods that it captures in the mud on the banks of rivers, dams, swamps and pigsties, from where it rarely distances itself too much.

Breeding: Its nest is made of sticks that are usually piled on trees nearby sources of water. It is common to see these birds in pairs.

In the UFRA area: In the studies carried out at UFRA areas, this species of bird had a restricted spatial distribution. It was found only in wetlands with herbaceous plants, wetlands with riparian forests, and drainage ditches.