Dunlin

The Dunlin, Calidris alpina, is a small wader, sometimes separated with the other stints in Erolia. It is a circumpolar breeder in Arctic or subarctic regions. Birds that breed in northern Europe and Asia are long-distance migrants, wintering south to Africa and southeast Asia. Birds that breed in Alaska and the Canadian Arctic migrate short distances to the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North America, although those nesting in Northern Alaska overwinter in Asia.

The Dunlin is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

TAXON: Dunlin, Calidris alpina arcticola Image of Dunlin, photo by R. Gill Justification: The arcticola subspecies of Dunlin is a high priority taxon because the entire population-numbering in the hundreds of thousands-nests on the North Slope of Alaska and spends the nonbreeding season in South and East Asia where the Asian H5N1 virus is prevalent. More

DunlinCalidris alpina Order CHARADRIIFORMES – Family SCOLOPACIDAE Issue No. 203 Authors: Warnock, Nils D., and Robert E. Gill * Articles * Multimedia * References Courtesy Preview This Introductory article that you are viewing is a courtesy preview of the full life history account of this species. The remaining articles (Distribution, Habitat, Behavior, etc. More

dunlin pronunciation /ˈdʌn lɪn/ Show Spelled Show IPA –nouna common sandpiper, Calidris alpina, that breeds in the northern parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Use dunlin in a SentenceSee images of dunlinSearch dunlin on the Web - Origin: 1525–35; var. of dunling. See dun2, -ling1 Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010. Cite This Source|Link To dunlin dun·lindunlin pronunciation (dŭn'lĭn) n. More

Dunlin (Calidris alpina) = Dunlin Photo by Tim Bowman. Check the photos tab for additional photos. Photo More

The Dunlin, Calidris alpina, is a small wader, sometimes separated with the other "stints" in Erolia. It is a circumpolar breeder in Arctic or subarctic regions. Birds that breed in northern Europe and Asia are long-distance migrants, wintering south to Africa and southeast Asia. Birds that breed in Alaska and the Canadian Arctic migrate short distances to the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North America, although those nesting in Northern Alaska overwinter in Asia. More

Dunlin: Diet consists of insects, marine worms, small crustaceans, snails, and small fish. Wades in shallows and uses its bill to probe and pick up food; probes with a rapid up and down stitching motion. Vocalization Dunlin: Song is a soft "cheerp" or "chit-lit." Similar Species Dunlin: Rock Sandpiper has less black on belly and has yellow legs. Purple Sandpiper is darker gray above and has yellow legs. . More

Insects form the main part of the Dunlin's diet on the nesting grounds; it eats mollusks, worms and crustaceans in coastal areas. The depicted birds are adults in breeding plumage, with the distinctive black belly which no other similar-sized wader possesses. The winter Dunlin is basically grey above and white below. Juveniles are brown above with two whitish "V" shapes on the back. They usually have black marks on the flanks or belly. The legs and slightly decurved bill are black. More

During the breeding season, Dunlin inhabit a variety of landscapes: tundra, shallow marshes, melt water edges, wet meadows, and mud flats. Wintering and migrating Dunlin frequent shorelines and estuaries. Inland meadows, farmland, and conservation lands provide vital alternative habitats, particularly when coastal habitats are unproductive. Feeding Outside the breeding season, Dunlin probe in sand or mud for marine worms like the pile worm, crustaceans like beach hoppers, and mollusks like the Baltic macoma clam. Migrating Dunlin often feed at night. More

● Foraging & Feeding: Dunlin: Diet consists of insects, marine worms, small crustaceans, snails, and small fish. Wades in shallows and uses its bill to probe and pick up food; probes with a rapid up and down stitching motion. ● Breeding & nesting: Dunlin: Four olive, blue green or buff eggs marked with brown and gray are laid in a grass clump on a dry hummock on the open tundra. Incubation ranges from 20 to 23 days and is carried out by both parents. More

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. More

The Dunlin is highly gregarious in winter, sometimes forming large flocks on coastal mudflats or sandy beaches. Large numbers can often be seen swirling in synchronized flight on stop-overs during migration or on their winter habitat. This bird is one of the most common and best-known waders throughout its breeding and wintering ranges, and it is the species with which other waders tend to be compared. More

Bent Life History for the Dunlin - the common name and sub-species reflect the nomenclature in use at the time the description was written. DUNLIN PELIDNA ALPINA ALPINA (Linnaeus) HABITS The well-known European dunlin has occurred occasionally as a straggler on our eastern coasts, Massachusetts and New York. It has probably occurred here more often than is known, for it closely resembles our red-backed sandpiper, especially in winter plumage. More

* Dunlin (Calidris alpina). Dunlin (Calidris alpina). More

The Dunlin (Calidris alpina) is one of the most numerous waders on the Dee Estuary during winter with typical numbers between twenty and thirty thousand, only eclipsed numerically by an occasional high peak count of Knot and Oystercatcher. At low tide they can be seen anywhere where there is a mudflat busily scurrying around, only pausing to sleep for a brief period at high tide. More

Dunlin Calidris alpina = - Identification Tips: - * Length: 7 inches * Medium-sized shorebird * Medium-sized, thin, dark bill with droop at tip * Black legs * Black patch on rump extending onto tail * White wing stripe More

Dunlin (Calidris alpina) = Common in winter and during migration in North Carolina. - Dunlin (Calidris alpina) Dunlin (Calidris alpina) Dunlin (Calidris alpina)Dare Co., NC 24 May 2006 In breeding plumage, Dunlin are reddish-brown above and have black bellies. - Dunlin (Calidris alpina) Dunlin (Calidris alpina) Dare Co. More

The Dunlin is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies. Diet: Mostly adult and larval insects (dipteran flies, beetles, caddisflies, wasps, sawflies and mayflies), and also spiders, mites, earthworms, snails, slugs and plant matter (usually seeds). Nesting: Juveniles are brown above with two whitish "V" shapes on the back. They usually have black marks on the flanks or belly and show a strong white wingbar in flight. More

I love watching them, and finding a few dunlin at the spit today (en route from the eastern seaboard to the arctic) was a real treat. Especially since one was kind enough to approach me on its own terms and show off that splendid red back. To take full advantage of Flickr, you should use a JavaScript-enabled browser and install the latest version of the Macromedia Flash Player. Comments view profile Paulo A.. More

Dunlin (Calidris alpin) shore bird in breeding Plumage on Morro Strand State Beach, Morro Bay, CA. This bird is not seen very frequently in this area, and even less frequently in breeding plumage. The interesting behavior observed while taking this photo was that this subject followed a Western Snowy Plover sharing the feeding of bugs and such in the detritus on the beach here. More

Measuring about 8 inches in length, the breeding Dunlin has a sand-colored cap, brown wings with black streaks, reddish back, white face, throat, and sides with fine black streaks, and a black belly. The legs are black. The bill is long, black, and slightly downcurved. The non-breeding Dunlin is dull brown above and white below. Males and females are similar. Diet: Insects, aquatic invertebrates. Range: The Dunlin breeds in northern Alaska, Canada, and Eurasia. More

Dunlin - Calidris alpina = Dunlin Characteristics Range Habitat Diet Life Cycle Behavior Classification Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Charadriiformes Family: Scolopacidae Genus: Calidris Dunlin Click on the images for a larger view. More

Dunlin - Calidris alpina = Dunlin series details Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Charadriiformes Family: Scolopacidae Genus: Calidris Description DunlinThe dunlin is a medium sized shore bird about 7 to 8 inches in length. More

A flock of Dunlin take a siesta along the beach in New Smyrna Dunes Park, Florida * Dunlin Tornado Covers the sky by Chuck Gardner This is a flock of dunlin a small sandpiper in the hundreds in a swirling cloud of individuals flying wing tip to wing tip all changing course simultaneously over Fern Ridge Lake in Lane More

Dunlin - Calidris alpinaVast differences are obvious in winter and breeding plumages, as the Dunlin sports a ruddy brown back, white underparts, and black belly patch in the spring, but has a very nondescript grayish plumage in the winter. Dunlins generally tolerate colder weather better than many other shorebirds, migrating southward relatively late in the fall and often overwintering as far north as New England or the coast of Alaska. Habitat: Flooded fields, lake margins, mudflats during migration. More