BetterBirding
Bird guideRed Phalarope

Of the three phalaropes, Red is the least likely to be seen inland.

Spot this speciesRead on Wikipedia
⚠️Not listed
🍃Indigenous: Grey Phalarope

At a glance

FamilySandpipers and Allies
SizeSmall
RarityRare
HabitatOn the open ocean, they are found in areas where converging ocean currents produce upwellings and are often found near groups of whales .
Best timeMost reliable in Northern Territory from January to February.

Sounds

Sound sample
0:000:00
Recorded by Avery Bartels

Range map

Range map

5visible hotspots
48visible records
2states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence

Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.

Species notes

Overview

Breeding females are brighter and more contrasting than males: note bright body the color of tomato juice, with black cap and white cheek. Also look for yellow bill with dark tip. Nonbreeding is much less colorful: smooth gray above and white below with a black ear patch. Juveniles are dark above and stained with buffy tones; they molt quickly into nonbreeding plumage. Breeds on Arctic tundra. Primarily found on the open ocean during migration and winter; rare inland. Red is best distinguished by larger size, thicker bill, and slightly paler, smoother-looking upperparts.

Behavior

Males are colored like watered-down tomato juice, with a streaky cap. Usually in small flocks, but can gather in larger numbers, often in mixed flocks with Red-necked Phalarope.

Gallery

Regional timing

Western Australia
Peak: March6 records
Northern Territory
Peak: January to February42 records

Commonly confused with

Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatusNote thin, sharp bill. Breeding females are brighter and more contrasting than males: note white throat, reddish stripe on neck, and buffy stripes on back. Breeding males are duller, especially on head and neck. Nonbreeding is much less colorful: gray above and white below with streaky-looking back and black ear patch. Juveniles have blackish upperparts with buffy stripes, and a black ear patch. Breeds on Arctic tundra. Primarily found on the open ocean during migration and winter; also occurs on lakes, especially in western North America. In migration mixes with Wilson’s Phalarope on inland lakes; Red-necked is smaller, more compact, and shorter-billed. On the ocean, frequently mixes with Red Phalarope, the only other oceanic shorebird; Red-necked is best distinguished by smaller size, thinner bill, and slightly darker, streakier-looking upperparts.→Sharp-tailed SandpiperCalidris acuminataCompare this bird carefully in the field→Wood SandpiperTringa glareolaIn flight shows plain upperwings, square white rump patch. Legs greenish yellow. Migrants and wintering birds occur in varied wetland habitats, especially with grassy and other vegetation cover. Walks in shallow water, picking with its bill. Bobs tail when nervous, but not habitually like Common Sandpiper.→
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