Description The Kolea is a slender bird with a short fine bill and long legs. They are primarily gray-brown in color with a golden and black speckled back and a white to buff eyebrow. They grow up to 9 inches and can weigh up to 6 ounces. Their appearance changes during the breeeding season and the underparts from to chin including the eye are black. A continous white flank line separates the upper and under coloring.

Lifecycle Each male and female form a monogamous pair. In early summer chicks hatch from camoflauged brown spotted eggs that blend in with their ground nest. By late summer the adults migrate south leaving young to fend for themselves. In a few weeks the fledglings begin their migration over thousand of miles of ocean to the warmer coastlines. Here they return to the same territory for the winter where they will double in size and weight to prepare for their return journey to the Arctic tundra in western Alaska.

Habitat They are found in coastal habitats such as estuaries, mudflats, open grassy places, and ocean beaches. They nest either on Artic or subtracted Alaskan tundra. During the winter they migrate thousands of miles in a nonstop flight to the warmer coastlines.

Diet The Kolea feeds on molluscs, insects, worms, crustaceans, lizards. It is known to also eat small fish and other birds' eggs.

Communication The Kolea has a distinct call that is a clear and melodic "kew--wee".