Wilson's phalarope
Phalaropus tricolor
Identification Tips:
- Fairly small, long-legged shorebird
- Often swims, spinning about and picking at the water
- Thin, straight, black bill much longer than head
- White rump, pale gray tail
- Wings dark, unstriped
Adult female alternate:
- Black legs
- Pale gray crown and nape, hindneck whiter
- Thick, dark eyeline extends down neck, becoming chestnut, and turns
onto back, forming V
- White throat and supercilium
- Rich rusty foreneck
- White breast and belly
- Gray back and upperwings
- Rusty stripe at base of wings
Adult male alternate:
- Plumage duller than in female alternate
- Black legs
- Dark brown crown and eyeline, extending down neck and onto back
- Back and upperwings gray-brown
- White throat, supercilium, and hindneck
- Pale rusty foreneck
- White breast and belly
Adult basic:
- Yellowish legs
- Gray crown, hindneck, and back
- Pale face with variable black stripe through eye
- White throat, breast and belly
Juvenile:
- Similar to the basic-plumaged adult but browner
- More distinct face pattern with a prominent dark cap and dark eye
stripe
- Buffy wash to the neck and chest
- Pale buffy 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.
Red-necked and Red Phalaropes both have wing stripes and dark rumps
and tails, as well as shorter bills. Basic-plumaged Stilt Sandpiper and
Wilson's Phalarope are similar, but Stilt Sandpiper has longer legs and
dusky streaks on chest and flanks.