Red phalarope Phalaropus fulicaria

Identification Tips:

• Length: 6.5 inches
• Fairly small shorebird
• Often swims, spinning about and picking at the water
• Thick, straight bill
• Dark-centered rump
• Wide white stripe in wing

Adult female alternate:

• Red underparts and neck
• White face and dark crown
• Black back with buff feather edges
• Yellow bill
• Adult male alternate similar but considerably duller

Adult basic:

• Gray crown and upperparts
• Black eye patch
• White underparts
• Dark bill

Juvenile:

• Similar to the basic-plumaged adult
• More distinct face pattern with a prominent dark cap and dark eye stripe
• Buffy wash to the neck and chest
• White edges to feathers on back and upperwing coverts

Similar species:

Yellowlegs have longer, brighter yellow legs, spotted upperparts, streaks and bars about head and have a barred tail. Wilson's Phalarope lacks wing stripe, has a white rump and tail, as well as a longer bill. Basic-plumaged Stilt Sandpiper is similar, but Stilt Sandpiper has longer legs, dusky streaks on chest and flanks, and lacks the black patch around the eye. Red-necked Phalarope is similar in juvenile and basic plumages but has a thinner bill and a thinner white wing stripe.

Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.