This species inhabits the coastline on shingle, sandy and muddy beaches, shallow tidal mudflats, saline wetlands and lagoons (Richardson 1990, Jennings 2010, Aspinall and Porter 2011). It is occasionally found further inland at pools of brackish or freshwater, reservoirs, sewage treatment plants and near livestock enclosures (Richardson 1990, Jennings 2010, Aspinall and Porter 2011). It feeds on invertebrates like ants, bees, beetles, flies, maggots, decapod crustaceans and shrimps, which it takes from decaying algal mats or other marine detritus on the shore or from irrigated crop fields (Jennings 2010). In the UAE, the species breeds in spring and early summer, with most eggs laid in April and May; however, the breeding season may start earlier, with one record of chicks already in December (Jennings 2010). Preferred nesting sites include dry sandy or shingle patches near the coast or wetlands, where territories are established and aggressively defended (Jennings 2010). The nest is a shallow scrape in the sand or shingle, sometimes paved with small pebbles or shell and plant material arranged around it (Jennings 2010). Clutches contain usually three eggs (Jennings 2010). Eggs and nestlings suffer high rates of predation by rodents, foxes and terns (Jennings 2010).