Phalaropus lobatus
The Red-necked Phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus, is a striking and unique small shorebird, measuring 17-19 cm (6.7-7.5 in) in length with a wingspan of 30-34 cm (12-13 in) and weighing 20-48 g (0.71-1.69 oz). During the breeding season, females exhibit vibrant plumage with a prominent brick-red neck, dark grey back streaked with buff, white throat, and a distinct white stripe above the eye, while males are duller. In winter, both sexes adopt a more subdued pale grey and white plumage, retaining ...
Breeds in arctic and subarctic freshwater and brackish wetlands, including tundra ponds, marshes, and coastal lagoons. Winters predominantly on the open ocean in tropical and subtropical marine environments, often associated with upwellings.
Feeds primarily on small aquatic invertebrates, including copepods, amphipods, mosquito larvae, brine shrimp, and other crustaceans and insects. Forages by spinning on water surfaces to create currents, concentrating food items for easy capture.
Red-necked Phalaropes are highly active, especially during foraging. They employ a unique 'spinning' technique on the water's surface, creating a vortex to bring small invertebrates within reach of their slender bill. During the breeding season, females are highly territorial and aggressive, comp...
The Red-necked Phalarope has a circumpolar breeding range across the high Arctic and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere, including Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Scandinavia, and Siberia. During migration, they undertake long trans-oceanic journeys, often far offshore. Their primar...
Least Concern
- The Red-necked Phalarope exhibits complete sex-role reversal, where the female is more brightly colored, initiates courtship, and often leaves the male to incubate the eggs and raise the young. - They are famous for their unique 'spinning' foraging technique, where they whirl rapidly on the wat...