The least sandpiper is a small shorebird known for its distinctive size and behavior. Measuring about 6 to 7 inches in length, it has a short, straight bill and a compact body. Its plumage is mostly brown and gray, with a white belly, which helps it blend into sandy and muddy habitats along coastlines and wetlands. These birds are often found foraging for food in shallow waters, where they search for small invertebrates and crustaceans. The least sandpiper is migratory, traveling long distances between breeding grounds in North America and wintering areas in Central America and South America.