Dunlin

Calidris alpina

This small, nimble shorebird transforms from mottled brown to striking black belly during breeding season, a quick-change artist of the tidal flats.

Share this bird:

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Dunlin is a small wading bird with a distinctive long, slightly curved black bill. In breeding plumage, it displays a striking black belly patch and rusty brown back. Non-breeding adults are predominantly grey above and white below.

Juveniles resemble non-breeding adults but have buff-edged feathers on their backs, creating a scaly appearance. Both sexes are similar in appearance, with seasonal plumage changes being more pronounced than sexual differences.

Size

Length

16cm to 22cm

Wingspan

35cm to 43cm

Weight

40g to 100g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown Grey

Secondary Colour

White Black

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Dunlin is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Dunlin is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Dunlin can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Dunlin can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Dunlin is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Dunlin is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Dunlin is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Dunlin is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Dunlin can be found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Dunlin is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Dunlin is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Dunlin is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Dunlins breed in Arctic tundra across North America, Europe, and Asia. They inhabit coastal mudflats, estuaries, and sandy beaches during migration and winter. They are particularly common along the coasts of the UK, western Europe, and both coasts of North America.

In winter, large populations can be found in the Wadden Sea of northwestern Europe and along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the United States. Some populations also winter in parts of the Mediterranean and Middle East.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 1,000 meters

Climate zones

Arctic, Temperate, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Dunlin. 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