dunlin

American  

[duhn-lin] / ˈdʌn lɪn /

noun

1. a common sandpiper, Calidris alpina, that breeds in the northern parts of the Northern Hemisphere.

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dunlin British  

/ ˈdʌnlɪn /

noun

1. Also called: red-backed sandpiper.  a small sandpiper, Calidris (or Erolia ) alpina, of northern and arctic regions, having a brown back and black breast in summer

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Etymology

Origin of dunlin

1525–35; variant of dunling. See dun ², -ling ¹

Example Sentences

The barges were filled and covered with sediment to create a new island for birds including endangered dunlin, curlew, ringed plover and lapwing.

From BBC • Jan. 28, 2026

Four UK shorebirds - the grey plover, dunlin, turnstone and curlew sandpiper - are becoming more endangered on the red list.

From BBC • Oct. 28, 2024

In spring, two dozen species of shorebirds use the refuge as a way station — primarily Western sandpipers and dunlin.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 10, 2024

Here I see Arctic tern from Antarctica, dunlin from Asia, bar-tailed godwits from Australia, yellow wagtails from Africa, and so on.

From New York Times • Jun. 22, 2010

A cloud of tiny dunlin, more compact than starlings, turned in the air with the noise of a train.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White