Bird species profile
Wilson's Phalarope
Phalaropus tricolor
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Family
- Scolopacidae
About the species
Wilson's Phalarope is a slender, elegant shorebird that stands out for its striking breeding plumage and unusual behavior. Unlike most birds, the female is more colorful than the male, displaying gray, white, and rosy hues during the breeding season. This species is famous for its spinning feeding technique, where it rapidly twirls on the water’s surface to create small whirlpools, bringing aquatic insects and crustaceans within reach. Wilson's Phalarope breeds in North America but migrates in large flocks to South America, including the wetlands and saline lakes of Patagonia, where it can be seen in impressive numbers during the austral summer. Its long migrations and social nature make it a fascinating subject for birdwatchers and researchers alike.
Habitat
Prefers shallow saline lakes, marshes, and wetlands, especially during migration and in Patagonian stopover sites.
Foraging
Feeds by spinning on water to stir up insects and crustaceans, picking prey from the surface with its slender bill.
