They live on the coast, riverbank, or wetland, having been popular as a special feature on the beach and riverbank since ancient ages and known as a pattern of 'Nami ni Chidori' (plover on the wave).
海岸、河原、湿原などに生息し、古くから浜辺や河原の風物詩として親しまれ、「波に千鳥」などの図柄、紋でも知られる。