Eurasian Dotterel

Charadrius morinellus

Rare & local Summer visitors to Scottish Mountains from May-September.

Also breeds in Alaska.

Winters in the Mediterranean & Africa.

Adults have a striking whitish supercilium in all plumages and has plain wings in flight. 

They are unmistakable, with a chestnut breast bordered above with white, black belly, and warm-brown back in Summer. The legs are yellow, and the short bill is black. 

As with the Phalaropes, the Females are brighter than the Males. 

Juveniles are re similar, but have a scaly appearance to their backs.

The flight call is a soft pyurr.

The Female's song is a simple, repetitive whistle.

Winter birds lack the rich underpart colouration, apart from the white breast line, and are greyer above.