DUNLIN GALLERY
(Calidris alpina)
eBird describes the Dunlin as follows: Smallish shorebird, slightly larger than stints and “peeps,” with a long bill that droops slightly at the end. Breeding plumage is distinctive with bright rufous back and black belly. In fall and winter, Grayish-brown above with paler belly. Often in large flocks on mudflats and beaches, occasionally mixing with other shorebirds. Gives loud, high, slightly buzzy “weep” and “cheep” calls.
I saw and photographed several Dunlin at Bolivar Flats on the evening of May 21, 2020. I was actually focused on a Reddish Egret who was frolicking in the surf and accidently took photos of the Dunlin. Glad I did!
“Cool Facts” About the Dunlin, From All About Birds…
- The name Dunlin comes from dunling, the earliest known English name of the species, which dates back at least as far as 1531. Dunling is a compound of the English word dun (meaning gray-brown) and the diminutive -ling. So the name Dunlin essentially means “little brown job.”
- Shorebird hybrids are very rare, but careful observation by birders have turned up hybrids between Dunlin and at least two other arctic-nesting species: White-rumped Sandpiper and Purple Sandpiper.
- Dunlin breeding in northern Alaska apparently move westward, skipping the rest of North America and migrating down the eastern side of Siberia to Japan and China.
- The oldest recorded Dunlin was at least 12 years, 5 months old when it was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in California.