Wilson's Phalarope

3 weeks ago

Not yet spotted on Fladder

The Wilson's Phalarope is a graceful, long-legged shorebird known for its unique reversed sexual roles, where the brightly colored female courts the duller male. They are often seen spinning on water to feed.

Where to spot

Breeds on inland prairies and wetlands across western North America. Migrates long distances, primarily through interior North America, to winter on saline lakes and coastal lagoons in southern South America.

How to spot

Look for its elegant, slender form and its distinctive feeding behavior of spinning rapidly on the water surface to stir up prey. In breeding plumage, the female has a prominent rufous neck stripe. In non-breeding, it's paler gray and white. Note its long, needle-like bill and long legs.

When to spot

Best observed during migration (late spring/early summer and late summer/early autumn) at inland wetlands, saline lakes, and coastal lagoons. In breeding season, look for them at prairie potholes.

Where to spot

How to spot

When to spot

Best observed during migration (late spring/early summer and late summer/early autumn) at inland wetlands, saline lakes, and coastal lagoons. In breeding season, look for them at prairie potholes.

Credits: By Dominic Sherony - Wilson's Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor), CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4272544

Wilson's Phalaropes are one of the few bird species where sexual roles are reversed: females are larger and more brightly colored than males, and they compete for mates, leaving the males to incubate the eggs and raise the young.

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