Bird Guide

Red-necked Phalarope

Phalaropus lobatus

Least ConcernInvertebratesWetlandScrapeSmall · 37 g

About the Red-necked Phalarope

The red-necked phalarope, also known as the northern phalarope and hyperborean phalarope, is a small wader. This phalarope breeds in the Arctic regions of North America and Eurasia. It is migratory, and, unusually for a wader, winters at sea on tropical oceans.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

ID tip

The red-necked phalarope is about 18 cm (7.1 in) in length, with lobed toes and a straight, fine bill. The breeding female is predominantly dark grey above, with a chestnut neck and upper breast, black face and white throat. They have a white wing stripe which helps distinguish this bird from the similar Wilson's phalarope. The breeding male is a duller version of the female. They have lobed toes to assist with their swimming. Young birds are grey and brown above, with buff underparts and a black patch through the eye.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

What the Red-necked Phalarope sounds like

Recording: Sonothèque ADVL · CC0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: Jonathon Jongsma · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: Jonathon Jongsma · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via xeno-canto

Where the Red-necked Phalarope lives

Regular rangeRare visitor

Recorded as a rare visitor in Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Morocco, Bahrain, Bhutan, Tajikistan, Croatia, Kosovo.

When to see the Red-necked Phalarope

Peak activity in August · a summer visitor species across most of its range

Easily confused with

Side by side: Red-necked Phalarope vs Wilson's Phalarope · Red-necked Phalarope vs Red Phalarope

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