A bird found in or associated with dunes, possibly a plover or sandpiper; alternatively, an archaic or regional term whose exact reference is unclear.
From 'dun' (a dull grayish-brown color, from Old English 'dunn') + 'bird.' The word may describe birds colored like dunes or birds that inhabit dune environments.
Many shore birds are dun-colored—plovers and sandpipers blend so perfectly with sandy beaches that predators miss them, making their color an ingenious survival strategy.
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