Lesson 5: Phalaropes Flashcards
Learn to swiftly recognize and identify the tell-tale shape, behaviours, and plumages (both breeding and non-breeding) of North America's—and the world's—three phalarope species: the Red Phalarope, Red-necked Phalarope, and Wilson's Phalarope.
What are the only THREE species of phalarope found in North America (and the world)?
- Red-necked Phalarope
- Red Phalarope
- Wilson’s Phalarope
The genus Phalaropus contains only these three species.
What are FOUR physical characteristics of the phalaropes?
- Small to medium-sized sandpipers
- Small heads
- Long necks
- Medium to long needle-thin beaks
They also exhibit the unique behavior of swimming on open water!
Red-necked Phalarope
Breeding plumage
If it strikes you as unusual to see a shorebird swimming like a duck, pay attention: this is a distinctive behavior of the group of shorebirds called the phalaropes!
This particular species has a rusty red patch that wraps around the neck like a scarf, as well as a white throat and golden “racing stripes” down the back.
Also important for phalarope ID, note the medium-length, razor-thin bill. Bill shape alone can help you differentiate between the phalarope species.
What bird is this?
Wilson’s Phalarope
Breeding plumage
Because of their striking breeding plumage, it’s quite easy to tell the three species of phalarope apart. It is in the non-breeding season, when their colors and patterns fade to white and gray that the task of ID becomes much harder.
In either season, pay attention to size and bill length: the Wilson’s Phalarope is bigger than the Red-necked Phalarope (just a little bit smaller than a Killdeer) and has a longer, razor-thin bill, while the Red-necked Phalarope is just a little bit bigger than a Semipalmated Plover and has a shorter bill.
Red Phalarope
Breeding plumage, female
These birds are distinctive with their brick-red plumage, black cap, white cheek patch, and “painted” streaky back. Males are similar but patchy, duller, and with a mottled, not black crown.
It may look quite stocky in this photo but Red Phalarope are smaller than Killdeer. Note the bulky, yellow, medium-length bill, which alone, sets it apart from the other two phalarope species.
Which is the smallest species of phalarope?
Red-necked Phalarope
It is just a little bit bigger than a Semipalmated Plover.
Wilson’s Phalarope is the largest species of phalarope.
What are two hallmark foraging behaviors of phalaropes?
- They swim while foraging, and
- paddle in tight circles, which upwells food morsels in the water column.
Phalaropes are often seen far out on the open water of large lakes and the ocean, paddling about like ducks. They are the only shorebirds that do this!
True or false?
Unlike most other bird species, it’s the female phalarope that is more beautiful and boldly patterned than the male.
True
Phalaropes are among the few bird species on Earth that exhibit reverse sexual dimorphism, with the females being larger and more brightly colored than the duller males.
True or false?
Like many other shorebirds, Red-necked Phalarope and Red Phalarope spend winter in the southernmost parts of the United States and northern South America.
False
These two species of phalarope actually become pelagic in the winter, spending most of their time out on the open Pacific and northern Atlantic Oceans. Your best chance of seeing them will be on a whale-watching or pelagic fishing boat.
In either breeding or non-breeding plumage, what two distinguishing markers can you rely on to help you identify Red-necked Phalarope?
- Golden “racing stripes” down the back
- Medium-length razor-thin bill
Next to the Wilson’s Snipe, the “racing stripes” are the most obvious and prominent “snipe stripes” seen on any shorebird.
The Wilson’s Phalarope has a longer, even thinner bill and the Red Phalarope has a shorter, stockier (though still thin) bill.
What are a non-breeding Red-necked Phalarope’s three hallmark traits?
The breeding plumage of the phalaropes is so distinctive that you are unlikely to ever confuse them. However, when they transition to their much plainer white-and-gray non-breeding plumage, you will need to pay closer attention to specific details so as to decisively tell them apart.
- Razor-thin, medium-length bill (totally black)
- Black eye/ear patch
- “Snipe stripes” on back
In their non-breeding plumage, how can you tell a Red Phalarope apart from a Red-necked Phalarope?
List 3 key differences.
Red Phalarope:
1. Are larger in overall size
2. Lack the golden snipe stripes down the back
3. Have a shorter, thicker bill
What bird is this?
Red-necked Phalarope
Non-breeding plumage
Note the bold, golden stripes down the back, the medium-length (not long) bill, and black ear patch and cap, all of which are telling features of the non-breeding Red-necked Phalarope.
In winter, these birds become pelagic, spending most of their time out on the open ocean.
Red Phalarope
Non-breeding plumage
In winter, Red Phalarope develop plain gray upperparts and white underparts. Note the black eye patch, faded (and not bold) black crown, and lack of golden snipe stripes on the back.
This lattermost feature is key in telling this species apart from the other, similar-looking non-breeding phalaropes. The shorter, stockier bill is another tell-tale characteristic.
Red Phalarope can also sometimes be confused with Sanderling but the dark eye patch will help you tell it apart at a glance.
In their non-breeding plumage, how can you tell a Wilson’s Phalarope apart from a Red-necked Phalarope?
List 5 key differences.
Wilson’s Phalarope
1. Have white, unmarked faces (no black ear patch)
2. Have longer, razor-thin bills
3. Have white rumps
4. Lack the bold, golden snipe stripes
5. Lack wing stripes
What bird is this?
Wilson’s Phalarope
Non-breeding plumage
Note the long, thin bill and lack of golden “snipe stripes” on the back. This is a key difference between the Wilson’s and Red-necked Phalarope in their non-breeding plumage, when they are much harder to tell apart.
The Wilson’s Phalarope also has longer legs, which are not always visible considering these birds’ tendency to swim like ducks, paddling out over deep water to forage.
Red Phalarope
Breeding plumage (male)
Male phalarope look similar to their female counterparts but are patchy and duller in coloration and patterning.
Importantly, note the mottled, but not pure black, crown, which is diagnostic of the male.
Wilson’s Phalarope
Breeding plumage
Most people would assume that the bolder, more colorful bird on the right is the male and the other, the female. When it comes to phalaropes, however, the opposite is true! Phalaropes are one of the few birds on Earth that exhibit reversed sexual dimorphism, with the females being bigger and more beautiful than the smaller, duller males, whose job it is to incubate the eggs.
What birds are these?
Red-necked Phalarope
Non-breeding plumage
Once again, the bold, golden stripes down the back, the medium-length (not long) bill, and black ear patch and cap tell us these birds are all non-breeding Red-necked Phalarope.
Aside from swimming, another key foraging behavior of the phalaropes is that they spin in tight circles, which causes upwelling of the water column, bringing food up from the depths, which they then snatch up.
Wilson’s Phalarope
Breeding plumage
In flight, Wilson’s Phalarope lack the bold wing stripes exhibited by the other two phalarope species, in both breeding and non-breeding plumage. They also have a white tail with darker outer tail feathers, while the other phalaropes have a dark line down the center of their white tails.
This gives you two tell-tale clues to use when they are flying, if you don’t get as good a look at their other characteristics as you would like.
Red-necked Phalarope
Non-breeding plumage
The bold white wing stripes and tail with a dark centerline tell us this is NOT a Wilson’s Phalarope.
The dark eye and ear patch, dark crown, medium-length bill, and bold “snipe stripes” on the upper back narrow this phalarope species down to Red-necked Phalarope in non-breeding plumage. (Red Phalarope have a plain and unmarked gray back in non-breeding plumage.)
