Confusion with L. scolopaceus has meant that many aspects of this species have remained poorly known until relatively recently (Jehl Jr. et al. 2020). It breeds in muskeg swamp in the subarctic taiga from the edge of the boreal forest just about to the tundra, uses scattered bushes or trees for display (Jehl Jr. et al. 2020). During the non-breeding season it occurs largely in coastal areas, preferring saltwater habitat and especially tidal mudflats rather than sandy substrates. Also occurs in flooded agricultural fields (Jehl Jr. et al. 2020).
Migration is typically undertaken along the coast, with Suriname seemingly the point of both northbound departure and southbound arrival for many individuals (Jehl Jr. et al. 2020). Feeds on invertebrates.
With little clear information on drivers of decline, and little evidence of obvious habitat loss, it is suspected but not clear that there is a reduction in at least the quality of the species' habitat. More research is required to understand if habitat area or extent is declining, and if it is the limiting factor for the species.

Breeds from Kodiak Island and the Alaska Peninsula east through south coastal Alaska, United States of America (USA), northern British Columbia south to Queen Charlotte Island, Yukon and Northwest Territories inland to Alberta, Manitoba and south Hudson Bay, around James Bay and east to Quebec and central Labrador, Canada (Jehl Jr. et al. 2020). Recent data suggest that the species is now breeding in western Alaska (Fink et al. 2023), which may represent a westward shift in distribution. Three subspecies are recognised, L. g. griseus is the easternmost, breeding in Quebec and western Labrador, North Twin Island (Nunavut) in James Bay, while L. g. hendersoni breeds from Aksimiski Island in James Bay west to Alberta. L. g. caurinus occurs furthest west into Alaska. Winters along the coast, from southern USA (from north California on the Pacific and south Virginia on the Atlantic) south to central Peru, around the Gulf Coast and the Caribbean and from Colombia to east central Brazil (Jehl Jr. et al. 2020).

Conservation Actions In Place
Investigations are underway to explore migratory connectivity using Motus tagged individuals (Graham 2022). 

Conservation Actions Needed
The potential habitat changes plausibly impacting the species need to be investigated. Quantification of the current harvest is required. In Barbados, where there is a quantified level of harvest, consult with the Barbados Wildfowlers Association on further lowering bag limits for the species (Wege et al. 2014).