Sandpipers, Phalaropes

Red Phalarope, Phalaropus fulicarius

Family Scolopacidae (Sandpipers, Phalaropes)

Size: 8"

Season: Fall migrant

Habitat: Open ocean

The red phalarope is a stocky phalarope with a relatively thick neck and a thick, yellow bill. The female is the more brightly colored sex. While breeding, its plumage is deep rufous below and about the neck, with a streaked black-and-tan back and scapulars. The head is black with a bold white face. Breeding males are similar but paler overall. Nonbreeding adults are gray above, white below, and have a dark patch behind the eyes. Visible in flight, the underwing is white, and the upperwing is darker with a white wing stripe. In typical phalarope fashion, it feeds by picking insects or small aquatic prey from the water’s surface, often twirling in circles. The breeding female is illustrated.