Dunlin

Calidris alpina

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Identification

20-23 cm (8-9") Common. Nests on Tundra, winters along coastal beaches, mudflats, rocky shores.

Robin-sized, short-necked shorebird; long black bill droops at the tip, thicker at base; black legs.

Summer: reddish-brown upperparts, whitish underparts except for conspicuous black belly patch.

Winter: gray or brownish upperparts, whitish underparts including belly.

Song: distinctive harsh "kree" flight call.

Details in the field

4 photos

Credit: Larry Bond

Credit: Jason Crotty

Watch and learn

2 videos

Dunlin

Credit: Don DesJardin

BTO Bird ID - Knot and Dunlin

Credit: BTOvideo

Bird Advisor Identification rules 1 variant 2 rules

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

2 rules

Rule 1 12 criteria confidence 5

What colour were the LEGS or FEET ?: Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was on the BACK ?: Streaked, mottled, spotted, or barred · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Black, purple, or dark
What colour was the BELLY ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail) · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Unknown
What colour was the BILL ?: Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and slender · Straight and thick · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Medium · Long · Very long · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Sparrow-sized · Robin-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Sandpiper-like
WHEN was the bird seen ?: Spring · Summer

result:619-dunlin:1:1 Source: 619 Dunlin, row 1

Rule 2 12 criteria confidence 5

What colour were the LEGS or FEET ?: Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was on the BACK ?: Streaked, mottled, spotted, or barred · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BELLY ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the BILL ?: Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and slender · Straight and thick · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Medium · Long · Very long · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Sparrow-sized · Robin-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Sandpiper-like
WHEN was the bird seen ?: Fall · Winter

result:619-dunlin:2:1 Source: 619 Dunlin, row 2