Dunlin

Calidris alpina (Linnaeus, 1758)

2018-07-03 Yamal Yamal-Nenets autonomous region	© Alexander Yakovlev

Description

Adult Dunlins in summer plumage have rufous crown with black streaks. Forehead, lore, supersullium, head-flanks and nape are whitish-grey black streaked. Back, shoulders and upper tail coverts are brownish-black with rufous edges of feathers; flank tail coverts are white with black tips. Underparts are white with blackish streaks; there is large brownish-black patch on fore-belly. Flight feathers are brownish; secondaries have much of white. Axillaries are white. Central pair of tail feathers is black-brown, other ones are grey. Bill and legs are black; bill is slightly down turned in terminal part. Eyes are brownish. In winter plumage adults have grey upperparts; underparts are white; but craw and fore-breast are grayish brown streaked. Juveniles are similar on adults in summer plumage but upperparts feathers are with narrower and paler edges of feathers. Craw and fore-breast are with grayish-buffy tone and little brownish spots. Other underparts are white with rounded dark-brown spots. Sizes: wing 105 - 125 mm, bill 27 – 40 mm. Weight: 38-61 gram.

References