Dunlin
The Dunlin is one of the most widespread wader birds in the world. Whether you're birdwatching in Svalbard or exploring coastal wetlands in Portugal, there's a good chance you might spot a dunlin bird in flight, feeding, or nesting!
Facts about Dunlin
- Arctic
- Canada
- Greenland
- Iceland
- Jan Mayen
- Svalbard
- South America
- Argentina
- Europe
- Denmark
- England
- France
- Portugal
- Norway
- Scotland
- Spain
Scientific Name: Calidris alpina
Population: Estimated at 3-7 million individuals globally
Regions: Circumpolar Arctic and north temperate regions across Europe, Asia, and North America
Destinations: Jan Mayen, Iceland, Canada, Svalbard, Greenland, Denmark, France, Norway, Spain, Portugal, England, Scotland, Argentina
Average Length: Adult: 17–21 cm (6.7–8.3 in); Newborn: ~5–6 cm (~2.0–2.4 in)
Average Weight: Adult: Males: ~40–60 g (1.4–2.1 oz), Females: ~45–65 g (1.6–2.3 oz); Newborn: ~6–8 g (0.2–0.3 oz)
Diet Habits: Primarily insects, larvae, worms, small crustaceans, and mollusks
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae
Genus: Calidris
Species: Calidris alpina
English: Dunlin
Danish: Almindelig ryle
Chinese: 黑腹滨鹬 (Hēi fù bīn yù)
Swedish: Kärrsnäppa
Finnish: Suosirri
Norwegian: Myrsnipe
Polish: Biegus zmienny
Japanese: ハマシギ (Hamashigi)
Spanish: Correlimos común
French: Bécasseau variable
Where does the Dunlin live?
As a wader bird, the dunlin lives in the wet and muddy areas of coastal and high Arctic environments. During migration, it travels thousands of kilometres and can be seen in tidal flats, estuaries, and wetlands along many European coastlines. It breeds in a circumpolar range across the Arctic and several northern temperate regions. In Svalbard, the dunlin has been reported to breed in small numbers on Bjørnøya and in the western parts of Spitsbergen, primarily in the Isfjorden and Kongsfjorden areas.
What does a Dunlin look like?
The Dunlin is a small wader bird with both female and male having a similar appearance. In summer, it features a brown-black back with rusty and yellow-brown tips, a brown-streaked neck and breast, and a distinctive black triangular patch on its belly. Its black legs and slightly curved black beak are easy to spot, especially when foraging.In winter, the dunlin bird transforms, with light grey-brown upperparts and white underparts, making it harder to identify if you're unfamiliar with its seasonal plumage changes. Juveniles look similar to adults in summer plumage, but their upper parts are dark brown with yellow-brown edged feathers. They feature a speckled yellow-brown breast and a white belly adorned with dark speckles on the flanks.
How big is a Dunlin?
Dunlins are small birds with an average of 17-21 cm in length, 40-65 g in weight and 32-36 cm in wingspan. They are smaller and more slender than the purple sandpiper, another shorebird found in the coastal and Arctic regions.
What does the Dunlin eat?
Dunlin feeds on small invertebrates found in tidal zones, such as insects, larvae, marine worms, small molluscs, and crustaceans.

How Many of These 10 Dunlin Facts Did You Already Know?
Dunlin Fact #1:
The Dunlin is among the most abundant wader species globally.
Dunlin Fact #2:
A faint wing bar is visible when the bird is in flight.
Dunlin Fact #3:
Dunlin was formerly known as the red-backed sandpiper.
Dunlin Fact #4:
Dunlins have a black belly patch in summer.
Dunlin Fact #5:
Even with a large population, this small bird has been declining in population over the past years.
Dunlin Fact #6:
Dunlins are classified as ‘Near Threatened’ by the IUCN Red List.
Dunlin Fact #7:
The dunlin is more slender than the purple sandpiper.
Dunlin Fact #8:
Dunlins breed in the circumpolar circle of the Arctic region.
Dunlin Fact #9:
Dunlins use their sensitive beaks to find food in wet and tidal areas.
Dunlin Fact #10:
Dunlin can reach speeds of 72-88 km/h.
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