Red-necked Phalarope
Red-necked Phalarope
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The Red-necked Phalarope is a small, pelagic shorebird, spending most of its life at sea outside of the breeding season. Like other phalaropes, it has lobed toes and famously reversed sexual roles.
Where to spot
Breeds on Arctic and sub-Arctic tundra wetlands across North America, Eurasia, and Iceland. Winters extensively at sea in tropical and subtropical ocean waters, including off the coasts of Africa, Asia, and South America.
How to spot
Look for its small size and typically buoyant feeding behavior, often spinning in circles on the water. In breeding plumage, the female has a prominent rufous patch on the side of the neck. In non-breeding, it's gray and white with a dark eye patch. Its lobed toes are an adaptation for swimming.
When to spot
During the breeding season (early to mid-summer), they are found on tundra ponds. During migration (late spring and late summer/autumn), they can be seen on coastal waters or large inland lakes. Otherwise, they are seen far offshore.
Where to spot
Breeds on Arctic and sub-Arctic tundra wetlands across North America, Eurasia, and Iceland. Winters extensively at sea in tropical and subtropical ocean waters, including off the coasts of Africa, Asia, and South America.
How to spot
Look for its small size and typically buoyant feeding behavior, often spinning in circles on the water. In breeding plumage, the female has a prominent rufous patch on the side of the neck. In non-breeding, it's gray and white with a dark eye patch. Its lobed toes are an adaptation for swimming.
When to spot
During the breeding season (early to mid-summer), they are found on tundra ponds. During migration (late spring and late summer/autumn), they can be seen on coastal waters or large inland lakes. Otherwise, they are seen far offshore.
Credits:
Door U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - http://images.fws.gov/default.cfm?fuseaction=records.display&CFID=1937222&CFTOKEN=79539811&id=EB50E3CC%2D1143%2D3066%2D404B945B04A98FD6, Publiek domein, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=316397
Red-necked Phalaropes are highly pelagic, meaning they spend most of their non-breeding lives far out at sea, often congregating in vast flocks in areas of ocean upwellings to feed on plankton.
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