Dotterel

Eudromias morinellus

A plump, round-headed shorebird that nests in Arctic tundra and alpine meadows, known for its unusual breeding behaviour where males take on most parental duties.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Dotterel is a small plover with a distinctive appearance. It has a brown back, a grey-brown crown, and a white eyebrow that curves around the back of the head. The breast is grey-brown with a white band below, while the belly is black in breeding plumage.

Females are more brightly coloured than males, with a more distinct white eyebrow and breast band. In winter, both sexes have duller plumage with less contrast. Juveniles resemble winter adults but have scaly upperparts.

Size

Length

20cm to 22cm

Wingspan

57cm to 64cm

Weight

90g to 150g

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

Brown Grey

Secondary Colour

White Black

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Yellow

Primary Colour (Female)

Brown Grey

Secondary Colour (Female)

White Black Rufous

Beak Colour (Female)

Black

Leg Colour (Female)

Yellow

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Dotterel is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Dotterel is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Dotterel is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Dotterel is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Dotterel is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Dotterel is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Dotterel can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Dotterel is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Dotterel can be found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Dotterel is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Dotterel can be found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Dotterel is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Dotterels breed in Arctic tundra and high mountain plateaus across northern Europe and Asia. Their breeding range extends from Scotland and Scandinavia eastward to Siberia. During migration, they can be found in a variety of open habitats, including coastal areas and agricultural fields.

In the UK, Dotterels breed in small numbers in the Scottish Highlands. They pass through England and Wales during spring and autumn migrations, with some birds wintering in North Africa and the Middle East.

Elevation Range

Up to 3,000 meters

Climate zones

Subarctic, Temperate, Alpine

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Dotterel. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons