female in breeding plumage; red neck, (California, USA; 2007-05-19)


Red-necked Phalarope
Phalaropus lobatus

Native Range: North America and Eurasia

Notes: nests on tundra ponds, migrates at sea but also along coasts, often in flocks; like all phalaropes, shows sex-role-reversal in the sense that females are more brightly colored, actively court males, and may seduce multiple males who then tend the nests and resulting clutches.


scaly pattern on back; needle bill (California, USA; 2007-05-19)
nonbreeding plumage; black face patch (California, USA; 2006-09-03)

transitional plumage (California, USA; 2006-08-06)
flying at sea, side view; black face patch (California, USA; 2007-08-26)

dorsal view; striped scaly pattern on back (California, USA; 2006-08-13)