Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus) 2 September 2013 Pillar Point Harbor, El Granada, SanMateo Co, CA Photos and video © 2013 Joseph Morlan



Phalaropes are shorebirds that have adapted to swimming. They have lobes on their toes, similar to grebes. Although often reported to spin in spirals, most of the ones I see don't spin. Instead they seem to rotate back and forth. Evidently this action creates small eddies which bring zooplankton to the surface.

This is a juvenile acquiring some first-basic (plain gray) plumage. Unlike the similar Red Phalarope, the Red-necked molts during migration. Phalaropes are famous for sex role reversal. Females have a brighter breeding plumage than males and are often polyandrous. The males incubate and care for the young.


Digiscoped with Panasonic DMC-LX5 | Nikon FieldScope III | 30XWA | hand-held (no adapter).
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