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Over-the-counter deer firearm permit sales begin on Tuesday, Oct. 20. Due to recent software updates beyond IDNR’s control, some vendors may have limited availability to print permits and licenses. IDNR is working closely with the license system provider to quickly address the issue for those vendors. To locate unaffected vendors, use the agent locator at https://www.exploremoreil.com/agentlocator.

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dunlin

dunlin (Calidris alpina)
Illinois Status: common, native
Photo © briansmallphoto.com

Features and Behaviors

FEATURES
The dunlin is about eight and one-half to slightly more than eight and three-fourths inches long (tail tip to bill tip in preserved specimen). Its legs are black. The bill is relatively long and bends downward slightly at the tip. The breeding bird has rust-colored feathers on the back and a black patch of feathers on the belly. The nonbreeding bird has gray-brown feathers on the back with light-gray feathers on the breast.

BEHAVIORS
This species is an uncommon spring migrant and a common fall migrant. Spring migrants begin appearing in March and peak in May. They breed in the Arctic. Southbound birds start appearing in late August and peak in October. Overwintering occurs on the Gulf, Pacific and Atlantic coasts of the United States. Dunlins visit mudflats and beaches in search of small invertebrates.

Illinois Range

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae

Habitats

Aquatic
ponds; marshes

Prairie and Edge
edge