Dunlins

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A small wading bird commonly inhabiting shores and wetlands, recognized for its slender frame and long legs, which migrates seasonally and exhibits striking black and white colors during mating season
2. This species of shorebird, often found along coastlines, features a long-legged and slim body, migratory habits, and engages in unique feeding techniques in muddy environments
3. A type of small shorebird characterized by its elongated legs and slender body, which is typically found in coastal areas and is known for its migratory patterns and distinctive plumage during breeding season

Etymology: "Dunlins" is the plural of "dunlin," the small sandpiper. The name combines "dun," an Old English word for a dull grayish-brown, with a diminutive ending related to "-ling," as in "duckling" and "gosling." The bird was named for its drab brown-gray look outside the breeding season, so the name roughly means "little brownish one."

Synonyms: shorebird, sandpiper