This species is mainly coastal (Jennings 2010, Aspinall and Porter 2011). It inhabits sandy and rocky beaches, low sand dunes, salt and mud flats, as well as saline creeks on sheltered coasts (Richardson 1990, Jennings 2010). Occasionally, it can be found on wetlands inland, such as irrigated grasslands and marshes (Richardson 1990). Its diet in the UAE is not known; elsewhere in Arabia, the species feeds on crabs and other crustaceans, marine worms, molluscs and terrestrial invertebrates like ants, beetles and ticks (Jennings 2010). The species is migratory, and is likely to migrate without stopping on a broad front between breeding and non-breeding areas (del Hoyo et al. 1996). Individuals wintering in the UAE breed from the eastern Caspian region to eastern Kazakhstan (Jennings 2010). Migratory flocks form after the end of breeding between mid-June and early-August, and arrive in the wintering grounds between mid-July and November (adults and immature birds arriving before juveniles) (del Hoyo et al. 1996). The species is typically gregarious, feeding in flocks of 2-50 individuals, and sometimes congregating in groups of up to 1,000 individuals when roosting (Urban et al. 1986, del Hoyo et al. 1996). It often associates with other plovers like Lesser Sandplover Charadrius mongolus (Jennings 2010).

During the breeding season, this species inhabits preferably freshwater sites like gravelly river islands, sandy shores of lakes, brackish and freshwater ponds as well as sewage treatment plants, and is also found at pools in remote deserts and along streams in the mountains (Richardson 1990, Jennings 2010, Aspinall and Porter 2011). The preferred habitat of individuals overwintering in the UAE is not well known; but it may frequent more coastal areas like mudflats (Aspinall and Porter 2011). Migrants mainly occur in small flocks between February and April on their journey to the breeding grounds and between September and October on passage to the wintering grounds; they tend to stay further inland at temporary desert rain pools, while avoiding mudflats along the coast (Richardson 1990, Jennings 2010). Its diet consists mainly of terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates, which it takes from the water surface or wet ground, often near fish drying places or livestock enclosures (Jennings 2010). The breeding season lasts from March to July (Jennings 2010). The species is territorial and nests in open areas with patches of sand or shingle near streams and lagoons of freshwater, brackish water or irrigated lands (Jennings 2010). The nest consists of a shallow, unlined depression in gravel or bare ground, in which three to four eggs are laid (Jennings 2010).

This species occurs along coastal creeks, in tidal mudflats and along sandy, muddy and stony shores (Richardson 1990, Aspinall and Porter 2011). During migration, is also found further inland in marshes and larger water bodies (Richardson 1990). There is no information available about its diet in the UAE; elsewhere, the diet consists of small crustaceans, molluscs, polycheate worms, isopods, amphipods, insects (e.g. ants, beetles, flies and fly larvae) and millipedes (del Hoyo et al. 1996). The species is gregarious and often roosts communally in flocks of several hundred individuals close to its feeding areas (Hayman et al. 1986, Urban et al. 1986, del Hoyo et al. 1996). The species is migratory. Individuals wintering in the UAE or further south breed between April and June in solitary pairs or loose colonies along the Arctic coast and in the tundra of northern Eurasia (del Hoyo et al. 1996).

This species occurs in freshwater wetlands like creeks, pond edges, wet grassland and sewage treatment plants, but also in saline habitats like coastal lagoons and mudflats (Richardson 1990, Aspinall and Porter 2011). There is no information available about its diet in the UAE; elsewhere on passage and during winter, it takes insects, small crustaceans, spiders, molluscs, annelid worms, frogs, small fish and plant material (del Hoyo et al. 1996). The species is migratory. It breeds from May to August in northern Eurasia, particularly in tundra habitats from the coast to the Arctic treeline (Johnsgard et al. 1981, Hayman et al. 1986, del Hoyo et al. 1996). The species leaves the breeding grounds between late-June and August and returns from the wintering grounds from March to mid-May (del Hoyo et al. 1996). The species migrates in large flocks of hundreds or thousands of individuals and forms huge dense groups on its wintering grounds (Hayman et al. 1986, del Hoyo et al. 1996).

During the non-breeding season, this species inhabits sandy beaches and mudflats along the coast (Richardson 1990, Aspinall and Porter 2011). During migration, it is also found further inland along shallow muddy creeks and pools (Richardson 1990). There is no information available about its diet in the UAE; elsewhere during winter, its diet consists of small molluscs, crustaceans, polychaete worms and adult, larval and pupal insects, as well as occasionally fish and carrion (del Hoyo et al. 1996). It forages in small flocks (Richardson 1990, del Hoyo et al. 1996). The species is a long-distance migrant (del Hoyo et al. 1996). It breeds between June and July in the high Arctic on barren, stony tundra (Johnsgard 1981, del Hoyo et al. 1996). During migration, it travels in small flocks mainly via offshore and coastal routes to the wintering grounds along the coastlines of all southern continents (Johnsgard 1981, Richardson 1990, del Hoyo et al. 1996).

This species winters along the coast, where it frequents sandy or rocky beaches, mudflats or tidal creeks (Richardson 1990, Aspinall and Porter 2011). Only during migration, it is found on lakes or sewage treatment plants further inland (Richardson 1990, Aspinall and Porter 2011). There is no information available about its diet in the UAE; elsewhere outside the breeding season, it mainly feeds on insects, crustaceans, molluscs, annelids, echinoderms, small fish, carrion and birds eggs (del Hoyo et al. 1996). The species is fully migratory (del Hoyo et al. 1996). Birds wintering in the UAE breed from May to August in solitary pairs along the coast or on islands in the high Arctic (Hayman et al. 1986, del Hoyo et al. 1996, Snow and Perrins 1998). Part of the population may migrate further south to winter along the coast of eastern and southern Africa. Someone-year-old birds remain in the wintering range during the summer. The species migrates in large flocks and is gregarious and sociable when feeding or roosting in winter, often foraging in large flocks in tidal areas (del Hoyo et al. 1996, Snow and Perrins 1998).

This species inhabits a variety of freshwater, marine and artificial wetlands, including coastal shores and mudflats, inland wetlands and pond edges, as well as water treatment plants and sewage outlets (Richardson 1990, el Hoyo et al. 1996, Aspinall and Porter 2011). During migration, the species occurs on inland flooded meadows, dried-up lakes, sandbars and marshes (del Hoyo et al. 1996). There is no information available about its diet in the UAE; elsewhere it is chiefly carnivorous, its diet consisting of insects and their larvae, crustaceans, annelids, molluscs, amphibians, small fish and occasionally rodents (del Hoyo et al. 1996, Hockey et al. 2005). It feeds singly, both diurnally and nocturnally (Richardson 1990, del Hoyo et al. 1996). The species is migratory. It breeds between late April and June in dispersed pairs in swampy boreal forests throughout Eurasia (Johnsgard 1981, del Hoyo et al. 1996, Snow and Perrins 1998). On passage, it can occur singly or in small flocks, although congregations of 100 or more may very rarely occur at high tide or at roosting sites (Urban et al. 1986, Richardson 1990, Snow and Perrins 1998). Some non-breeding birds may remain in the wintering grounds throughout the summer (del Hoyo et al. 1996, Snow and Perrins 1998, Pedersen et al. 2017).

This species occurs along the coastline, where it frequents estuaries, sandy or rocky beaches, mangrove swamps, tidal ponds and creeks, mudflats or coral reefs (Richardson 1990, del Hoyo et al. 1996, Richardson and Aspinall 1998, Aspinall and Porter 2011). Especially during migration, it is also found further inland at freshwater sites like pools, sewage treatment plants or damp grassland (Richardson 1990, Aspinall and Porter 2011). There is no information available about its diet in the UAE or Arabia; elsewhere, when inland on migration, its diet consists of adult and larval insects, spiders, earthworms, molluscs and plant material (Johnsgard 1981, del Hoyo et al. 1996). On the coast during the winter, the species takes crustaceans, molluscs, large polychaete worms and occasionally fish, reptiles or young birds (del Hoyo et al. 1996). The species is migratory (del Hoyo et al. 1996, Snow and Perrins 1998). It breeds from May to August in the tundra of the Eurasian Arctic (Hayman et al. 1986, del Hoyo et al. 1996).

This species inhabits freshwater wetlands, including wet or flooded grasslands, marshes, pond edges, ditches and water treatment plants overgrown with vegetation (Richardson 1990, Aspinall and Porter 2011). There is no information available about its diet in the UAE; elsewhere the diet includes insects, earthworms, small crustaceans, small gastropods and spiders, but also plant fibres and seeds in smaller quantities. The species forages in small groups by vertical and rhythmic probing in substrate, often without removing the bill from the soil. The species is migratory and breeds between April and June throughout Eurasia.

This species inhabits large, open freshwater bodies like lakes, reservoirs, large ponds with grassy margins, or water treatment plants (Richardson 1990, Jennings 2010, Aspinall and Porter 2011). It is seldom found on densely vegetated wetlands (Jennings 2010). In winter, it occasionally occupies saltwater habitats like sheltered coastal harbours (Richardson 1990, Jennings 2010). During migration, it may also occur on islands and even in arid desert (Jennings 2010). There is no information available about its diet in the UAE; elsewhere it is omnivorous, although its diet consists primarily of vegetable matter such as algae, the vegetative pasts of aquatic and terrestrial plants, the seeds of waterweeds, sedges, water-lilies, grasses and cereal crops, clubmoss Selaginella and aquatic fungi (del Hoyo et al. 1996, Taylor and van Perlo 1998). Animal matter in its diet includes molluscs, adult and larval insects, worms, leeches, shrimps, spiders, small fish, fish eggs, frogs, birds and bird eggs, and small mammals (Urban et al. 1986, del Hoyo et al. 1996, Taylor and van Perlo 1998). It may feed in flocks on land, especially when winds cause high waves on water (del Hoyo et al. 1996). The species is diurnally active and roosts at sunset solitarily or in flocks (Taylor and van Perlo 1998). The breeding season in Arabia lasts from May to June and clutches may contain around six eggs (Jennings 2010). There is nothing known about its nests in Arabia; elsewhere it is a platform of vegetation that may be resting on the bottom of shallow water, floating or on a foundation of trampled plant matter in emergent vegetation (del Hoyo et al. 1996).