Calidris alpina · Icelandic: Lóuþræll

Iceland's most abundant breeding wader, named for its habit of keeping close to Golden Plovers.

Habitat: Mudflats, marshes and moorland pools | Season: May–Sep

Identification

• Small wader, downcurved bill tip
• Black belly patch in summer plumage

Behaviour

Feeds in tight, fast-moving flocks, probing mud rapidly. Iceland's most abundant breeding wader.

Did you know?

Its Icelandic name literally means "the Golden Plover's slave" — Dunlin often nest close to Golden Plovers, once believed to act as their watchful guardians.

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