Birds · Charadriiformes · Scolopacidae

Dunlin

Calidris alpina

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

It is nicknamed the 'sewing machine' for the rapid bobbing of its head as it probes the mud for food. It forms winter flocks of tens of thousands that wheel in perfect unison.

Weight

45 g – 65 g

Size

16 cm – 22 cm

Lifespan

5 years

Diet

Carnivore

Feeds mainly on other animals.

Activity

Diurnal

Active mainly during the day.

Social structure

Herd

Lives in large groups as a strategy against predators.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

TundraFreshwaterCarnivore Diurnal In herds Bird Tundra Freshwater

59countries 38parks13same family

Fun facts

It is nicknamed the 'sewing machine' for the rapid bobbing of its head as it probes the mud.
It forms winter flocks of tens of thousands that wheel in perfect unison in flight.
One ringed bird reached a record 24-28.8 years.
comportamientoIt can form flocks of thousands that fly in unison, turning and changing direction almost instantaneously as though they were a single organism.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - pneumatised bony skeleton (bird)
Habitat & environment: Arctic and subarctic tundra when breeding; estuaries, saltmarsh and muddy coasts across the Northern Hemisphere in winter
Birth weight: 9 grams
Size at birth: Precocial, able to feed itself shortly after hatching, though its parents lead it to where the food is
Sexual maturity: 1-2 years
Gestation / incubation: 21-22 days
Litter / clutch size: 4 eggs per clutch

Sources consulted: AnAge (genomics.senescence.info); NHPBS NatureWorks; Animal Diversity Web; Animalia.bio; The Birds (oiseaux.net); BioKIDS; Birds of the World