General

Dunlin: Medium-sized sandpiper with black-streaked, red-brown upperparts, conspicuous black belly patch, and streaked breast. Bill is long and slightly decurved. Sexes are similar. Winter adult has plain gray upperparts, faintly spotted gray breast and white underparts. Juvenile is browner with a scaled appearance.

Range and Habitat

Dunlin: Breeds from western and northern Alaska east to Hudson Bay. Spends winters along coasts from southern Alaska and Massachusetts southward; also in Eurasia. Nests on tundra and winters on beaches, mudflats, sand flats, inland lakes, and river shores.

Breeding and 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.

Foraging and 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.

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.