Red-necked Phalarope

The Red-necked Phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus, 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.

Red-necked Phalarope is about 18 cm in length, with lobed toes and a straight, fine bill. The breeding female is predominantly dark grey above, with a red neck, black face and white throat. The breeding male is a duller version of the female.

Young birds are grey and brown above, with buff underparts and a black patch through the eye. In winter, the plumage is essentially grey above and white below, but the black eyepatch is always present.

The typical avian sex roles are reversed in the three phalarope species. Females are larger and more brightly coloured than males. The females pursue males, compete for nesting territory, and will aggressively defend their nests and chosen mates. Once the females lay their eggs, they begin their southward migration, leaving the males to incubate the eggs and feed the young. Three to seven eggs are laid in a ground nest.

When feeding, a Red-necked Phalarope will often swim in a small, rapid circle, forming a small whirlpool. This behaviour is thought to aid feeding by raising food from the bottom of shallow water. The bird will reach into the center of the vortex with its bill, plucking small insects or crustaceans caught up therein.

This species is often very tame and approachable.

Reference

Shorebirds by Hayman, Marchant and Prater ISBN 0-873403-19-4