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Montana Animal Field Guide

Montana Field Guides

Dunlin - Calidris alpina

  • Dunlin, winter plumage
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Global Rank: G5
State Rank: SNA

Agency Status
USFWS: none
USFS: none
BLM: none
CFWCS Tier: 3
PIF: none
 

General Description
Long, black legs with long, decuved bill. Black belly, rufous cap, and bright rufous brown back. Few differences in plummage in sexes. Males have darker bellies and grayer faces, while females are bigger in size.

General Distribution
Montana Range



Western Hemisphere Range

 


Summary of Observations Submitted for Montana
Number of Observations: 79

(Click on the following maps and charts to see full sized version) Map Help and Descriptions
Relative Density

Recency

Breeding
(direct evidence "B")

Breeding
(indirect evidence "b")

No evidence of Breeding
(transient "t")

Overwintering
(regular observations "W")

Overwintering
(at least one obs. "w")


 

(Records associated with a range of dates are excluded from time charts)



Migration
The species is primarily a coastal migrant in the western U.S.

Habitat
Migrant birds are usually seen on mud flats or sandy beaches (Johnsgard 1986).

Food Habits
Diet consists of all varieties of invertebrates with the occasional plant material and small fish.

Reproductive Characteristics
Single or double brooded species with four eggs per brood. Incubation period 21-22 days. Young able to fly 19-21 days after hatch.

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Citation for data on this website:
Dunlin — Calidris alpina.  Montana Field Guide.  Retrieved on February 9, 2010, from http://FieldGuide.mt.gov/detail_ABNNF11170.aspx
 
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