Dunlin

Dunlins breed around the Arctic and Subarctic and migrate to widely separated wintering regions. Central Siberian populations may winter around the Arabian Gulf, while birds from the eastern Arctic and northern Alaska travel to Southeast Asia. They breed on tundra and use coastal marshes, mudflats, and estuaries outside the nesting season. Adults measure 16–22 centimetres, span 32–44 centimetres, and weigh 45–65 grams. Females are larger, although the sexes have similar plumage patterns (Animal Diversity Web).

Dunlins consume marine, freshwater, and terrestrial invertebrates, including bivalves, worms, insect larvae, crustaceans, snails, and slugs, with small fish taken occasionally. Some also forage in agricultural land beside estuaries. Females and juveniles have been recorded swallowing lemming teeth and bones, possibly as a calcium source during egg formation. Males reach thawing breeding grounds first, establish territories with boundary flights, and are joined by arriving females as snow disappears in late May or early June (Animal Diversity Web).