Red-necked Phalarope - Phalaropus lobatus

Length 7.0-7.5 in (17.8-19.1 cm)
Wingspan 1.0-1.1 ft (31.0-34.0 cm)
Weight 0.7-1.7 oz (20-48 g)
Clutch Size 4
Chicks at birth Precocial
IUCN Conservation Status Least Concern
Continents:NA, SA, EU, AF, AS
     

Red-necked Phalaropes breed in the far north of North America, Europe and Asia. They winter off the coasts of North America, South America and Africa, and Asia. I have seen more Red-necked Phalaropes in the Bay Area than any other Phalarope. One interesting fact about them is that they will spend up to nine months at sea at a time.

They eat aquatic insects and small crustaceans in fresh water and large quantities of brine shrimp in salt water. At sea they eat zooplankton and other small creatures. They will spin in tight circles to create an upwelling of food.

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