Fauna
Bird

Dunlin

Calidris alpina

Also known as Red-backed Sandpiper

Dunlins sweep across tidal mudflats in tightly coordinated flocks, probing wet soil with a rapid, machine-like rhythm. In breeding plumage, adults display a striking black belly patch contrasting with a rich rusty back, though they turn uniform grey-brown during winter. These resilient migratory shorebirds traverse thousands of kilometers between Arctic tundra nesting grounds and temperate coastal estuaries.

MigratoryShorebirdMudflat Forager
Dunlin reference1 / 7
Charles Homler d/b/a FocusOnWildlife / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
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Near ThreatenedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNear ThreatenedRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyPolychaete Worms, Small Snails, Amphipods
Predators
  • Peregrine Falcon
  • Merlin
  • Arctic Fox
ThreatsLoss of coastal stopover habitat, wetland drainage, climate change, and coastal pollution
HabitatsCoastal mudflats, estuaries, lagoons, wet meadows, and Arctic tundra
Life span4–12 years
Classification
  1. FamilyScolopacidae
  2. SpeciesCalidris alpina
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
What to notice
Recognizable by its slightly down-curved bill, medium size, and black belly patch in summer plumage.
Support conservation
Maintain a wide distance on mudflats to avoid forcing exhausted migratory birds into flight during feeding.
Responsible observation
  • Observe from afar: Use a scope or telephoto lens to watch resting or feeding flocks without flushing them.
  • Watch feeding style: Look for their distinctive rapid probing motion in wet mud, often compared to a sewing machine.
Related species
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