The Dunlin is one of the most abundant shorebirds in North America and a classic 'peep' — small, brownish sandpiper — in winter, but in breeding plumage shows a bold black belly patch unique among North American shorebirds. Enormous flocks of thousands of birds on coastal mudflats perform synchronized, murmuration-like aerial maneuvers to confuse falcons.
Habitat
Arctic tundra in summer; coastal mudflats and beaches in winter
Diet
Marine worms, amphipods, mollusks, and insects
How common
Common
Recent Dunlin sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spot a Dunlin? Identify it instantly.
Point Huck at any plant or animal and get an instant ID, rarity, and field notes — building your personal nature collection as you go.
Get Huck — free