Dunlin (Calidris alpina)

Dunlin, Shoreline Park Mudflats, Port Moody, British Columbia
Photograph by Alan And Elaine Wilson. Some rights reserved. (view image details)

DUNLIN FACTS

Description
The Dunlin is a medium-sized sandpiper with fairly long dark bill and moderately long dark legs. In the breeding season it has reddish brown back and reddish brown crown, black belly. In the non-breeding season it is plain brownish gray with white belly. Males and females are similar. Juvenile birds have reddish brown back with more prominent markings, and black markings on belly.

Size
length 16cm - 22cm. Wingspan: 36cm - 38cm.

Environment
Breeds in wet coastal tundra. Winters on mudflats, estuaries, marshes, flooded fields, sandy beaches, lake shores

Food
insects, mollusks, worms, crustaceans

Breeding
The nest is a shallow scrape on the ground lined with plant matter. Lays three or four (usually four) eggs.

Range
The Dunlin breeds on coasts of Alaska and parts of far north Arctic Canada. Winters along west coast from southern Alaska to Mexico, and on east coast from Massachusetts to Mexico. Also found on coasts of Asia and Europe and western Africa.

Classification

Class:	Aves
Order:	Charadriiformes
Family:	Scolopacidae
Genus:	Calidris
Species:	alpina
Common Name:	Dunlin

Relatives in same Genus
  Sanderling (C. alba)
  Pectoral Sandpiper (C. melanotos)
  Least Sandpiper (C. minutilla)
  Rock Sandpiper (C. ptilocnemis)

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