Calidris alpina
Dunlin in Winter Plumage © 2010 Ian Fisher
Subspecies
C. a. alpina
C. a. schinzii
C. a. arcitica
C. a. sakhalina (most likely to occur in Australia)
C. a. kistchinski
C. a. actites
C. a. pacifica (most likely to occur in Australia)
C. a. arcticola
C. a. hudsonia
Other Names
Red-backed Sandpiper, Blackcrop
Distribution
Australia: Only one report has been accepted for Australia, Queensland 1983. About 20 other records have been either retracted or unaccepted. These have been from Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia.
Migratory habits
This species very rarely migrates below the Equator.
Breeding
Breeds in the arctic areas of Europe, Asia, Alaska and Canada.
Status
Very rare vagrant.
East Asian-Australasian Flyway Population: about 950,000
Confusing Species
Curlew Sandpiper.
