Species of fresh and brackish waters. Present in rivers, streams and reservoirs with beds and accumulations of gravel and sandbars. In winter it also uses coastal areas with salty waters (beaches, marshes and inlets).

Bird present practically all year round in the province. There are specimens in the summer period although they do not breed. Malaga also hosts wintering individuals which can be observed in migratory passage. Nest on river banks and beds, on the ground. One laying at the end of April with 4 eggs. It feeds on aquatic insects and invertebrates that it captures in the water by introducing its bill in the mud of the shore. When it feeds or moves it teeters its body keeping only the head still, something typical of sandpipers. When it flies, it does so in short stretches, alternating the rapid beat of wings with short glides.

In rocky areas, banks of rivers, reservoirs and coastal sands. Mouth of the Guadalhorce and irrigation dam of the Guadaiza.

The Spanish name for sandpipers is "andarríos" ("river walker") and this is so because of their habit of appearing on the banks of water courses, especially fresh. They are very sensitive to discomfort and pollution, which is why they are considered indicators of good environmental quality of rivers.