Red Phalarope Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesRed Phalarope
Breeding female
Breeding females are brighter than males with entirely rusty underparts, a white ear patch, and a yellow bill.
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 30, 2018Nonbreeding adult
Nonbreeding Red Phalaropes have a solid gray back and a dark ear patch.
© Connor Cochrane / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, January 14, 2023Breeding female
Swims on the surface of the water like other phalaropes, picking at aquatic invertebrates.
© Larry Arbanas / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 20, 2007Not all videos have sound
Immature
Juvenile Red Phalaropes have white edging on the wings and have a less clean gray back than nonbreeding adults.
© Mark Patry / Macaulay LibraryOntario, November 30, 2013Juvenile
A small shorebird with a long bill that is thicker at the base. This juvenile has white edging on the wings.
© Brendan Klick / Macaulay LibraryMichigan, September 03, 2019Breeding male
Breeding males are less bright than females, but still have entirely rusty underparts and a white cheek patch.
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 29, 2018Molting adult
During molt, mottled with rusty patches on neck and belly. Note yellow bill.
© Paul Fenwick / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, May 06, 2017Nonbreeding adult/immature (with Red-necked Phalarope)
In flight Red Phalaropes have cleaner underwings and a solid gray back, unlike Red-necked Phalaropes that have dark markings on the underwing and a striped gray back.
© Benjamin Hack / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, September 22, 2019Nonbreeding adult/immature
Spends most of the nonbreeding season out at sea where it forms large flocks.
© Luke SeitzMaine, September 11, 2011Similar SpeciesRed-necked Phalarope
Breeding female
Breeding Red-necked Phalaropes have a white throat patch and belly unlike Red Phalaropes, which have a rusty throat and belly.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, April 28, 2014Similar SpeciesRed-necked Phalarope
Nonbreeding
The back on nonbreeding Red-necked Phalaropes is striped or mottled, but it is plain gray on nonbreeding Red Phalaropes.
© David Irving / Macaulay LibraryNew Taipei City, March 13, 2016Similar SpeciesWilson's Phalarope
Breeding female
Breeding Wilson's Phalaropes have a dark stripe through the eye and down the neck that breeding Red Phalaropes lack.
© Brendan Klick / Macaulay LibraryMichigan, June 11, 2017Similar SpeciesWilson's Phalarope
Nonbreeding adult
Nonbreeding Wilson's Phalaropes do not have the black ear patch that nonbreeding Red Phalaropes show.
© Josh Fecteau / Macaulay LibraryMaine, May 16, 2017Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
Sandpipers and Allies(Order: Charadriiformes, Family: Scolopacidae)
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