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.
Best time to see a Dunlin
The best time to see a Dunlin is January–May, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 19,667 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Dunlin? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Dunlin sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spotted a Dunlin?
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