Species 1

Dunlin

It is the model of the Calidris family to be used as a comparison in the identification of the rest. Knowledge of its plumage and morphological characteristics is particularly useful to differentiate species. The legs are usually medium-sized (compared to the Curlew Sandpiper, which has longer legs, or to the Sanderling and Great knot, which have shorter legs), the bill, although it is notably variable (shorter or longer depending on the individual), is not as robust as that of the Great knot, as small as that of the Sanderling or the Little stint, nor as long, slender and curved as the Curlew sandpiper’s.

There are notable differences between winter and summer plumages, like the rest of the waders, but in summer plumage, and even in the transition or breeding moult, it is easily identifiable by the marked, ample and therefore striking black feather patch on the belly and the dark back with rusty reddish-brown feathers and black striped breast, as well as the inside of the dorsal feathers that gives them a scaly appearance.

Scientific name

Calidris alpina

Family 2

Scolapacidae

Taxonomic Affinity Group 3

Waders

Phenology 4

Although it can be seen throughout the year, it is a bird that does not reproduce on the Iberian Peninsula, being a common wintering bird in the Mediterranean, as seen in the wetlands of Roquetas, where the population at this time makes it easy to spot. However, the migratory passages, particularly the postnuptial one, are those that provide the most records and when it is more likely to be seen.

The graph represents the probability of seeing a species during the year, grouped into months. The vertical axis indicates the percentage value. Each of the bars expresses its value. The horizontal axis represents the months: I = January, II = February, III = March, IV = April, V = May, VI = June, VII = July, VIII = August, IX = September, X = October, XI = November and XII = December.

Observation recommendations

Easily observed on the edges of wetlands, it appears in small groups, relatively large flocks and even single individuals. As a bird of reference to identify the rest of the sandpipers, it is quite easily detectable.

Observation areas where we can find it

Cerrillos | Ribera de la Algaida | Salinas Nuevas

Notes

[1] The names used are from the list of birds of Spain, drawn up by SEO/BirdLife and updated to 2019 (https://seo.org/listaavesdeespana/). The reference is: Rouco, M., Copete, J. L., De Juana, E., Gil-Velasco, M., Lorenzo, J. A., Martín, M., Milá, B., Molina, B. & Santos, D. M. 2019. Checklist of the birds of Spain. 2019 edition. SEO/BirdLife. Madrid.

[2] The taxonomic family to which it belongs is indicated.

[3] Traditionally, waterbirds have been grouped according to their taxonomy or “taxonomic affinity”, i.e., when some birds coincide in certain features that allow them to be classified scientifically, but without leaving the rigour of science, they are put together in these groups so that they can be easily recognised. These groups are the following: Greves (belonging to the Podicipedae family), Herons and Similar (includes the families: Ardeidae -Herons- Ciconiidae -Storks- and Threskiornithidae -Ibises and spoonbills-), Ducks (the whole Anatidae family), Coots and Similar (the family Rallidae corresponding to Rails, Gallinules and Coots), Cranes (also with only one family, the Gruidae), Waders , a heterogeneous group, the most diverse of this classification, includes the families Burhinidae (Stone-curlews), Haematopodidae (Oystercather), Recurvirostridade (Avocets and Stilts), Glareolidae (Pranticole), Charadriidadea (Plovers), Scolapacidae and finally Gulls and Similar (the recently unified family Laridae, i.e. Gulls and Terns).

[4] Phenology studies the relationship between the cycles of living beings and meteorological factors, and in our latitude these factors manifest themselves as variations throughout the year, thus relating the seasons to the birds’ cycles (breeding, migratory journeys, etc.) The graph shows the probability of seeing a bird depending on the month. It uses data from 48 bird censuses carried out between October 2016 and September 2018. The method used is that of a census route with sampling stations, with a total count on the sheet of water.