Dunlin

Dunlins have long black legs and feet, and a black beak that droops slightly at the end. During the summer breeding season, they have a large black belly spot—which distinguishes them from all other shorebirds—and orange feathers on their back. During the winter and nonbreeding season, they are all white with a gray back and head. 

With a stocky body about the size of a starling’s but with longer legs, dunlins are 6 to 9 inches long (16 to 22 centimeters) with a wingspan of 13 to 16 inches (33 to 40 centimeters).

During the breeding season, they live in coastal tundra areas. In the winter, they live along mudflats, estuaries, marshes and coastlines.

The oldest known wild dunlin from Europe was 24 years old.

Dunlins make different vocalizations during the breeding season to attract mates, defend territories, and scare predators. When they are getting ready to migrate, they often give a treep call. 

Dunlins feed in wet marshes and mudflats and eat mainly invertebrates, including insects, snails, worms and crustaceans. They use their wide, slightly downturned beak to hunt for food in the mud.

Dunlin often sleep with their bill tucked under their wing.

Dunlins can migrate in large flocks, often swirling in synchronized flight motions. They are generally not social during the breeding season.

Dunlin nests are shallow bowls scraped into the sand or mud in the ground by the male. Nests are often positioned at the top of tussocks, or patches of tall grass. The female selects the nest scrape to use, and lays four olive to brown-colored speckled eggs. Both parents incubate the eggs. The babies leaves the nest soon after hatching, and their father takes care of them until they are ready to be on their own.

Many shorebird populations are declining in numbers. Threats include habitat loss, especially along coasts, human disturbance and climate change.