Sparrow-sized with black and white plumage, along with intermediate grey tones. It has a very long tail which it wags up and down to balance as it walks. It occurs along river banks, the edges of reservoirs and in arable land. It feeds on small insects, grubs and spiders that it collects mainly from the ground. It is present throughout the year, but is more abundant in the winter. In recent years it has started to form large roosts in city centres.
