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MarineScrapeSmall · 56 g
ID tip
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.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Red Phalarope
One bar for each month. Filled bars are the 9 months with records; pale bars are months with none. The wide bar is February, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Red Phalarope
The map shades 58 countries with regular records, and 18 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
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.
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.
Easily confused with
Wilson's PhalaropePhalaropus tricolorWilson's phalarope is slightly larger than the red phalarope at about 23 cm (9.1 in) in length.
Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatusThe red-necked phalarope is about 18 cm (7.1 in) in length, with lobed toes and a straight, fine bill.
Side by side: Red-necked Phalarope vs Red Phalarope · Red Phalarope vs Wilson's Phalarope · Red Phalarope vs Upland Sandpiper
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