Dunlin (Calidris alpina)

Group Sandpipers
Code ABNNF11170
Order Charadriiformes
Family Scolopacidae
Author (Linnaeus, 1758)
Rank G5 (definitions)
Occurrence M (definitions)
Scale N (definitions)

County List:

Western UP none
Eastern UP none
Northern LP none
Southern LP none

Rule:

Mixed Forested/Nonforested or Nonforested Landscapes

Migration Habitat 1st alternative:
      Any Open Water
   adjacent to:
      Shorelines/Mudflats

Migration Habitat 2nd alternative:
      Sedge Meadow
view decision rule term definitions

Habitat List:

Habitats Regen Sap Pole Sm Saw Lg Saw Uneven
Aspen nonononono-
Paper Birch nonononono-
Oak nononononono
Assorted Hardwoods nononononono
Northern Hardwoods nononononono
Spruce/Fir nononononono
Hemlock nononononono
Jack Pine nononononono
Red Pine nononononono
White Pine nononononono
Conifer Plantations nonononono-
Mixed Upland Hardwoods nononononono
Mixed Northern Hardwoods nononononono
Mixed Upland Conifer nononononono
Mixed Pine nononononono
Swamp Hardwoods nononononono
Balsam Poplar & Swamp Aspen & Swamp Birch nononononono
Bottomland Hardwoods nononononono
Tamarack nononononono
Northern White Cedar nononononono
Black Spruce nononononono
Mixed Lowland Hardwoods nononononono
Mixed Lowland Conifer nononononono
Non-ForestedLake, Pond, River, Sewage Lagoons & Farm Ponds, Sedge Meadow, Shorelines & Mudflats
Special FeaturesRiparian

view size class definitions

Literature:

Kaufman, K. 1996. Lives of North American Birds. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, Massachusetts. 675 pp.

Habitat: Tidal flats, beaches, muddy pools; wet tundra in summer. During migration and winter, widespread in coastal habitats; mainly mudflats, but also sand beaches, rocky shores. Inland, occurs on lake shores, sewage ponds, flooded fields. Breeds on wet low ridges interspersed with ponds and marshy spots.

Diet: Mostly insects on tundra, other small invertebrates on coast. Diet varies with season and location. On breeding grounds, feeds heavily on insects including larvae of midges, crane flies, beetles, and others. On coast, eats wide variety of small creatures found in intertidal zone, including marine worms, snails and other mollusks, amphipods and other crustaceans, sometimes small fish. Sometimes eats seeds and leaves.