The seasonal weight variations of the Dunlin (Calidris alpina) have been well documented in Europe (Evans 1964, Mascher 1966, Prater 1975, Eades and Okill 1977, Pienkowski et al. 1979, Davidson 1979), Northwest Africa (Dick and Pienkowski 1979), and North America (Holmes 1966, Page 1974, Kaiser and Gillingham 1981). Very little has been reported on lipid levels in shorebirds. To our knowledge, only Evans and Smith (1975), Mascher and Marcstrom (1976), and Davidson (1979) have published such data.
During the winter (December-March) of 1980-1981, we observed an increase in the mean total and fat free weights of a Dunlin population in western Washington. Dunlin weights at 3 other areas declined significantly during the same winter. The purpose of this paper is to examine these weight change patterns and discuss them in relation to Dunlin food habits and prey availability at each of the 4 areas studied.
Citation:
Buchanan, J.B., L.A. Brennan, C.T. Schick, M.A. Finger, T.M. Johnson, and S.G. Herman. 1985. Dunlin Weight Changes in Relation to Food Habits and Available Prey. Journal of Field Ornithology 56(3): 265-272.
Link:
http://www.jstor.org/stable/4513025?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents