This species inhabits open country inland, usually near waterbodies (Jennings 2010, Aspinall and Porter 2011). It is found close to pools of fresh or brackish water, like ditches, water treatment plants, sewage dumps, reservoirs, pits, pools, wet wadis, as well as newly formed and temporary waterbodies (Richardson 1990, Jennings 2010). It also frequents irrigated land, agricultural areas and grass or meadows, including large gardens, golf courses and camel race tracks (Jennings 2010, Aspinall and Porter 2011). There is no information available about its diet in the UAE or Arabia; elsewhere it takes beetles and other insects, as well as molluscs, worms and crustaceans. It mainly forages around dusk and dawn and at night (Jennings 2010). The breeding period starts in February, with most clutches reported between April and May. The species is territorial. Even though it may nest in groups at the same site, it is not colonial (Jennings 2010). The nest is a shallow scrape, unlined or lined with small stones and debris, usually situated near water. Clutches contain usually four eggs; however, as eggs and chicks suffer high mortality, possibly due to predation by House Crow Corvus splendens, mostly only one or two chicks fledge (Jennings 2010).