Red Phalarope

Phalaropus fulicarius

non-breeding

Appearance:
Smaller wader
Straight bill
Short legs
Lobed toes
Adults:
     Distinct white stripe down the wing
     Dark stripe down the tail
     Contrasting color on sides of rump

     Breeding plumage:    
         Rufous neck and underparts
         Dark brown and black above
         White cheek patches
         Yellow bill
         Black cap (female) / Brown cap (male)
     Non-breeding plumage: (photographed)

         Light grey above, unstreaked

         White below
         White head

         Black ear patch behind the eye

         Black bill with lighter base

Juveniles:
     Black backs edged in buff
     Buff underparts and head
     Dark patch through the eye  

Listen to its call. 

 

Although phalaropes are sandpipers, which are typically shorebirds, these birds spend most of the year out at sea. They are also one of the few birds where the female of the species is more colourful and larger than the male. This is because the females are polyandrous. They have to look good to attracted the attention of multiple males. In contrast, the males need to be duller to avoid detection of predators while providing most of the parental care.

Learn more about the Red Phalarope.