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8

Dunlin

(Calidris alpina)
German name(s): "Alpenstrandläufer"
Size: 17-21 cm; wing span 32-36 cm
Weight: 45-65 g

Similar
species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description

Click here for a physical description

Taxonomy, classification

See Dunlin at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat, finding this species

Click here for information on habitat and range

Sightings

Click here for sighting information

Photos

Race "alpina"

ADULT

Sex unknown

BREEDING

Near-lateral view of a Dunlin in breeding plumage (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Near Tromso airport, Tromso, Norway, June 2018]

Lateral view of a hunched Dunlin in breeding plumage (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Near Tromso airport, Tromso, Norway, June 2018]

Near-dorsal view of a Dunlin in breeding plumage (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Near Tromso airport, Tromso, Norway, June 2018]

Race "schinzii"

ADULT

Sex unknown

BREEDING

Frontal view of a Dunlin in breeding plumage; note that the belly patch of race "schinzii" is not solid-black
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Tejo estuary, Portugal, April 2019]

Frontal view of a Dunlin in breeding plumage (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Salinas do Brito, Tejo estuary, Portugal, July 2019]

Near-lateral view of a Dunlin in breeding plumage (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Salinas do Brito, Tejo estuary, Portugal, July 2019]

Lateral view of a Dunlin in breeding plumage (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Salinas do Brito, Tejo estuary, Portugal, July 2019]

Near-dorsal view of a Dunlin in breeding plumage, left, with a Curlew Sandpiper moulting into non-breeding plumage
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Salinas do Brito, Tejo estuary, Portugal, July 2019]

Small flock of Dunlins, mostly in breeding plumage, together with a few other waders (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Tejo estuary, Portugal, April 2018]

Lateral view of Dunlins in breeding plumage, in flight (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Lagoa de Obidos, Obidos, Leiria, Portugal, May 2022]

NON-BREEDING

Near-frontal view of a Dunlin in non-breeding plumage taking a bath (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Palhais, Barreiro, Setubal, Portugal, December 2017]

Lateral view of a Dunlin in non-breeding plumage (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Palhais, Barreiro, Setubal, Portugal, January 2018]

Lateral view of a Dunlin in non-breeding plumage (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Palhais, Barreiro, Setubal, Portugal, December 2017]

Lateral view of a Dunlin in non-breeding plumage roosting together with a flock of Common Ringed Plovers
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Montijo, Palhais, Setubal, Portugal, March 2019]

Near-dorsal view of a Dunlin in non-breeding plumage spreading its wings (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Herdade do Esporao, Reguengos de Monsaraz, Evora, Portugal, January 2023]

Flock of roosting waders, almost all of which are Dunlins in non-breeding plumage and juveniles (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Tejo estuary, Portugal, March 2018]

Three Dunlins in non-breeding plumage in flight (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Moita do Ribatejo, Setubal, Portugal, November 2018]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Frontal view of a juvenile Dunlin (photo courtesy of G. Pinelas)
[Lagoa de Albufeira, near Sesimbra, Setubal, Portugal, October 2017]

Near-frontal view of a Dunlin; the brown around the head and neck and the black spots down the front and flanks indicate that this is a juvenile (photo courtesy of G. Pinelas)
[Lagoa de Albufeira, near Sesimbra, Setubal, Portugal, October 2017]

Near-lateral view of a juvenile Dunlin (photo courtesy of G. Pinelas)
[Lagoa de Albufeira, near Sesimbra, Setubal, Portugal, October 2017]

Near-lateral view of a juvenile Dunlin (photo courtesy of G. Pinelas)
[Lagoa de Albufeira, near Sesimbra, Setubal, Portugal, October 2017]

Lateral view of a juvenile Dunlin (photo courtesy of G. Pinelas)
[Lagoa de Albufeira, near Sesimbra, Setubal, Portugal, October 2017]

Lateral view of a juvenile Dunlin (photo courtesy of G. Pinelas)
[Lagoa de Albufeira, near Sesimbra, Setubal, Portugal, October 2017]

Lateral view of a juvenile Dunlin (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Tejo estuary, Salinas do Vasa Sacos, Benavente, Santarem, Portugal, August 2022]

Lateral view of a snoozing juvenile Dunlin (photo courtesy of G. Pinelas)
[Lagoa de Albufeira, near Sesimbra, Setubal, Portugal, October 2017]

Behaviour

Outside the breeding season Dunlins can form substantial flocks.

Flock of Dunlins in non-breeding plumage in flight (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sado estuary, Portugal, January 2023]

Food, Diet

Near-lateral view of a Dunlin in non-breeding plumage digging up something (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Salinas da Fuseta, Olhao, Faro, ALgarve, Portugal, November 2021]

Close-up near-lateral view of a Dunlin in non-breeding plumage gobbling up its prey (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Salinas da Fuseta, Olhao, Faro, ALgarve, Portugal, November 2021]

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