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Birdman Mel's Backyard Tips
Overview
Eurasian Dotterel: Medium-sized shorebird with gray upperparts, rust-brown flanks and belly with black lower margin, and white vent. Narrow white breast band is prominent. Cap is dark and two white eyestripes meet in a V at nape. Feet and legs are yellow. Swift direct flight with rapid wing beats.
Range and Habitat
Eurasian Dotterel: Native of Eurasia; uncommon in western Alaska during summer. Nests on plateaus and mountain slopes below highest tops; prefers dry sandy or stony areas on high plateaus during winter.
Topo Map:
Sandpiper-like Body
Listen to Call
Voice Text
"pweet-pweet-pweet"
Interesting Facts
The Eurasian Dotterel has long been considered tame and unsuspecting. This led to it being easy prey for illegal collection, causing a population decrease.
They obtain their diet of insects and small invertebrates by using a run-and-pause technique, rather than the steady probing of some other wader groups.
A consequence of the friendly and trusting nature of this bird has caused the name 'dotterel' in English to carry a negative connotation. The term is a contemptuous label used to describe somebody who is considered to be a doting old fool.
A group of dotterels are collectively known as a "trip" of dotterel.
Bird Term Glossary
Author
Gary Owen Dick
Artist
Imran Kahn
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