/
The chunkiest and thickest-billed phalarope.
Not listed
Indigenous: Grey Phalarope
At a glance
FamilySandpipers and Allies
SizeSmall
RarityRare
HabitatMudflats, saltmarsh, estuaries, beaches, lagoons, and shallow inland wetlands.
Best timeMost reliable in Northern Territory from January to February.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Avery Bartels
Range map
Range map
5visible hotspots
48visible records
2states
SparseModerateDense hotspot
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
Of the three phalaropes, Red is the least likely to be seen inland. 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