Red Phalarope
Phalaropus fulicarius
The Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius) is a uncommon sandpiper found in 76 countries, weighing about 56 g. The red phalarope or grey phalarope is a small wader.
About the Red Phalarope
The red phalarope or grey 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, migrates mainly on oceanic routes, wintering at sea on tropical oceans.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The red phalarope is about 21 cm (8.3 in) in length, with lobed toes and a straight bill, somewhat thicker than that of red-necked phalarope. The breeding female is predominantly dark brown and black above, with red underparts and white cheek patches. The bill is yellow, tipped black. The breeding male is a duller version of the female. Young birds are light grey and brown above, with buff underparts and a dark patch through the eye. In winter, the plumage is essentially grey above and white below, but the black eyepatch is always present. The bill is black in winter.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in India, Finland, Australia, Colombia, Panama, New Zealand, Thailand, Mongolia, Mauritania, Guadeloupe, Faroe Islands, Luxembourg, Cape Verde, Cuba, Azerbaijan, Oman, Guernsey, Slovenia.
When to see it
Best months: February, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in February. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Red Phalarope?
- The red phalarope is about 21 cm (8.3 in) in length, with lobed toes and a straight bill, somewhat thicker than that of red-necked phalarope. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Red Phalarope?
- The Red Phalarope is a small sized bird weighing about 56 g.
- Where can you see a Red Phalarope?
- The Red Phalarope occurs in 76 countries, including the United States, Canada, Sweden, Spain and the United Kingdom.
- What birds look similar to a Red Phalarope?
- The Red Phalarope is most easily confused with the Wilson's Phalarope and the Red-necked Phalarope.
- Is the Red Phalarope endangered?
- The Red Phalarope is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Red Phalarope for real
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