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Dunlin

Calidris alpina ORDER: CHARADRIIFORMES FAMILY: SCOLOPACIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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The Dunlin is a familiar shorebird around the world, where its bright reddish back and black belly, and long, drooping bill distinguish it from nearly all other shorebirds. It breeds across the top of both North America and Eurasia, and winters along coasts around the northern hemisphere.

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At a GlanceHelp

Measurements
Both Sexes
Length
6.3–8.7 in
16–22 cm
Wingspan
14.2–15 in
36–38 cm
Weight
1.7–2.3 oz
48–64 g
Other Names
  • Red-backed Sandpiper (English)
  • Becasseau variable (French)
  • Correlimos común (Spanish)

Cool Facts

  • Dunlin breeding in northern Alaska apparently move west, migrating down the eastern side of Siberia and Asia to Japan and China.

Habitat


Shore-line

Breeds in wet coastal tundra. Winters along mudflats, estuaries, marshes, flooded fields, sandy beaches, and shores of lakes and ponds.

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Food


Insects
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Nesting

Nesting Facts
Condition at Hatching
Active and covered with down.
Nest Placement

Ground
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Behavior


Probing
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Conservation

status via IUCN

Least Concern

Abundant, but populations may be declining.

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Credits

  • Warnock, N. D., and R. E Gill. 1996. Dunlin (Calidris alpina). In The Birds of North America, No. 203 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and The American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C.
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Range Map Help

Dunlin Range Map
View dynamic map of eBird sightings
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