Red phalarope
Phalaropus fulicaria
Identification Tips:
- 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.