Duniln

They come to the tidal flats in large numbers.

Scientific name	Calidris alpina
English name	Duniln
Japanese name	浜鷸
Classification	Aves
Classification details	Charadriiformes Scolopacidae
Full length	21cm.
Distribution	Breeds at high latitudes in the northern hemisphere and migrates south during winter. Fly all over Japan.

Characteristics

Sandpipers fly all over Japan. The whole body is grayish, but the color changes between the breeding season and the non-breeding season. In the summer during the breeding season, the head and back become reddish brown, and the belly to the base of the legs become black. In winter, the whole body becomes pale gray and the belly becomes pure white. The beak and legs are black. There is a slightly darker gray band from the base of the beak to the eyes. White above and behind the eyes. In flight, the wings look brown with a single white line.

Cries of the Dunlin

The voice of the sandpiper can be muddy or not muddy, such as "Jui", "Juririri", and "Piriy". They sing when they fly off together.

Ecology

Found in tidal flats and estuaries. When they visit vast tidal flats on their way from Alaska, they sometimes form large flocks of several thousand to tens of thousands of birds. They are carnivorous and prey on lugworms, crustaceans, and shellfish that live in tidal flats. When high tide approaches, they stay still on the shore, but when the tide begins to recede, they come down to the tidal flats and have a lively meal.

Habitat

We observed a small group on the coast of Arao-higata, Kumamoto Prefecture. When the tide was high, several hundred birds huddled together and stayed still. Daizen was also mixed in the herd. When the tide receded and we started to see the tidal flats, we started walking along the beach, and when we saw the sand, we started eating together. Then, a large flock came from another place, and the tidal flat was covered with sandpipers.

The sight of them flying together in a flock is impressive.