There are four species in this family of birds from South America: the rufous-bellied seedsnipe, the white-bellied seedsnipe, the gray-breasted seedsnipe, and the least seedsnipe.

They have short legs and long wings and look a bit like small grouse or sandpipers, but they are actually more closely related to shorebirds.

Seedsnipes live in open habitats such as grasslands, scrub, and high mountain slopes. Unlike most shorebirds, they are herbivores and feed mainly on seeds and plant material, though some also eat insects.

They are well camouflaged with brown or gray plumage, which helps them blend into their dry, rocky environments.