A very common bird in the coastal region and the savanna region of Suriname. It is easily recognised by the barring on its tail and the white eye-ring and its bobbing movements, while it wades solitary through the water. It is also seen farther inside the country, near pools. Above a picture by Alexandre Renaudier, made in French Guiana and below one made by Foek Chin Joe in Suriname, the bird has its white belly in the shadow. The last picture of a young bird made by Suzette Eeltink near Frederikshoop in Suriname in 2006
Each small square indicates the observation of at least one (group) of these birds, the medium ones at least 4 observations on different days and the largest ones 10 or more. The color of each square indicates: blue for coastal area, yellow for savanna and red for rainforest.
| Distribution in Suriname (explanation) | |
| Coastal area |  |
| Savanna | |
| Forests |  |
| Mountain forests | |
| Sipalawini savanna |  |
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