They also will eat seeds of various aquatic plants. But they forage while swimming. In shallow water, this spinning or 'pirouetting" is thought to stir up food lodged on the bottom. Wilson’s Phalarope, breeding adult female. Wilson's Phalarope (Scolopacidae: Phalaropus tricolor) Feeding Carl Barrentine : About Uploaded on May 13, 2010. It has a peculiar foraging behavior of spinning like a top on the water\'s surface or running in circles on muddy banks picking with its bill at the surface for aquatic insects and crustaceans. This behavior was usually seen in large, tightly packed flocks (40-700, X = 280). By telling vivid, sound-rich stories about birds and the challenges they face, BirdNote inspires listeners to care about … I checked all of the letter ponds and also pond 1 and 2 and found no phalaropes. 0 phalaropes were spinning at the San Joaquin marsh this morning. Wilson's phalaropes can be distinguished from most other shorebirds by the bright coloration on their neck and head. Range. Other techniques include chasing and pecking prey from the surface of mud or water, standing still and stabbing at passing flies, and probing inside mud. Spinning like tops, they create an upwelling, pulling food to the surface. May in Cochise Co., Arizona. Also like the other phalaropes, sex roles are somewhat reversed. There are three species of phalaropes: in additional to Wilson’s, are the Red-necked and the Red phalaropes. Wilson’s Phalaropes breed in the north, just not as far north as many shorebirds. 2. Photographed at Kellys Slough NWR, North Dakota (13 May 2010). Wilson’s Phalaropes forage by swimming, often spinning rapidly in a circle to stir up prey. Where They Live. They feed by spinning circles in the rich brine, stirring whirlpools of brine flies and other nutrients. They will often swim in tight circles, spinning quickly enough to corral prey items and even creating a vortex that sucks prey off the bottom. Note female's apparent reluctance to interact with two males. Wilson’s Phalarope, breeding adult female. Wyoming, Sublette County, Male Wilson's Phalarope spinning in pond. Spinning Wilson’s Phalaropes always put a smile on my face; there’s just something amusing about seeing a tiny bird spinning around and around in circles plucking tiny things from the surface of the water. Wilson’s Phalarope breeds only in the prairie ponds of North America, but the other two species, the Red-necked Phalarope and the Red Phalarope, nest in northern ponds of Europe and Asia as well as Canada and Alaska. Share This: Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Print this Article Share to Email. Aug 30, 2015 - Lemmon Valley, Washoe Co, Nevada (July 28th, 2011). Wilson’s Phalaropes breed in western Canada and the northern U.S. So I'll be off of Flickr until Friday. Note the concentric circles in the water around the phalarope. 0 phalaropes were spinning at the San Joaquin marsh this morning. The Wilson’s Phalarope usually chooses … Phalaropes are small swimming Charadrii with compressed tarsi and the toes are lobed or scalloped. This is a female Wilson’s Phalarope feeding on a section of the Middle Quill Lake shoreline in Saskatchewan, Canada. These are caused by the bird spinning round and round in the nutrient-rich waters, creating whirlpools that stir up invertebrates. A, flocks of less than 20; B, flocks of 20 to 60; C, flocks of more than 60. In flight, no wing-bar, white rump. The Wilson's Phalarope is the largest of the phalarope species, and is usually quite tame and approachable within the state. Wilson’s phalaropes flock to the salty lakes of western America in the late summer. Wilson's Phalarope: The Rebel. I had seen two previously at Staines Reservoir, Surrey in 1997 and Vange Marsh, Essex in September 2015 . On the Great Salt Lake, phalaropes feed primarily on the abundant brine shrimp and brine flies. Long needlelike black bill. I checked all of the letter ponds and also pond 1 and 2 and found no phalaropes. Wilson's Phalaropes mainly eat small aquatic invertebrates such as midges and shrimp. Better still is seeing multiple phalaropes feeding together. Photo by Brian E. Small. On their Arctic breeding grounds these birds are blue-gray with a reddish wash on the neck; in winter they are a streaky gray on the back, white below, with a bold black patch across the eye. Read our COVID-19 research and news. This is a large flock found … They are at home in deeper water, swimming with the help of lobed toes instead of walking along the waterline. - Buy this stock photo and explore similar images at Adobe Stock - Buy this stock photo and explore similar images at Adobe Stock Sales: 800-685-3602 Wilson’s Phalaropes don’t care for your gender norms. Back to top. In the east, they nest around the Great Lakes. July 1975] Wilson's Phalarope Behavior and Molt 445 Fig. Phalaropes are unique in the fact that they have learned to spin around in the water to create a vortex that pulls all of the insects up to the top where the Phalarope can quickly pick them off. Phalaropes feed generally on larvae of mosquitos, larvae of crane flies and diving beetles. Spinning was rarely performed by birds in small flocks, and By Erica Tennenhouse Nov. 12, 2020 , 10:50 AM Rare shorebirds called phalaropes practice an unusual water dance to … If you haven't seen Phalaropes feeding before, it's a real treat. They feed on the water, spinning like tops to stir up larvae, crustaceans, and insects in the resulting vortex. They feed by picking food from the surface of the water. One of about 75 phalaropes (Wilson's plus a few Red-necked) spin-feeding on brine flies near the edge of one of the ponds. This is a large flock found in Lake County, South Dakota on April 28th, 2013. These active birds pick small bits of food from the water's surface. When swimming, they spin in tight circles and create upwellings of food, although Wilson's Phalaropes do this less than the other two phalaropes. The Wilson’s Phalarope’s primary breeding range is restricted to the northwestern region of North America, from central British Columbia south to northern California and east through the Great Plains. Phalaropes are active birds. Although we didn’t see him spinning, I know that many people did. Wilson’s Phalarope is an annual vagrant to the British Isles, with most records being of juvenile birds such as this one in autumn. The flock was quite tame, some birds unconcernedly darting & spinning within 10 o… The Wilson's Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor) breeds across much of the northern great plains of the United States and much of western Canada. Females are brighter than males. The Wilson’s Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor) is named after the early American ornithologist Alexander Wilson (1766-1813). It forages by swimming, spinning in circles to bring food to the surface, or near the surface, of the water where it can pick it up with its bill. Small, localized populations are found in the Great Lakes region and at other scattered sites in the United States. Posts about Wilson’s Phalarope written by David M. This is my day 24 contribution to Becky’s July Squares on the theme of Perspective and another of my eye level perspective series.. 23 cm (9") Common. Fall shorebird migration starts around the 4th of July and continues into September. 148. In a birdbook, Wilson's Phalaropes are found among the sandpipers. They winter primarily in South America, with a few wintering in southern California and southern Texas. If you see 50 birds sitting on a pond spinning around in circles, now you’ll know what you’ve got. Sewage ponds/landfill site bordering a large playa. They feed like many phalaropes, spinning in circles on the water to bring food items to the surface. Birds connect us with the joy and wonder of nature. This shorebird is limited to muddy flats, marshy ponds, and wet meadows. Unlike most other bird species, the female in breeding plumage is much more colorful than the male. While foraging in the water, they often spin in circles to create a whirlpool that sucks up food items to the surface of the water. Wilson's Phalaropes winter on large, shallow ponds and saline lakes in southern South America. The breeding of Wilson's Phalaropes is anomalous, too. Wilson’s phalaropes though, are often decidedly un-shorebird-like in their manner of hunting. A shorebird that’s at home on the open ocean, the Red-necked Phalarope is a tiny grayish bird with a needle-thin bill. Phalaropes are sandpipers that forage on the water’s surface while swimming, often spinning in one spot. They also probe in mud or pick along shorelines. It is regularly observed during migration when large numbers are sometimes seem spinning circles on ponds as lakes as they forage for tiny aquatic prey. The Wilson’s Phalarope nests only in North America, while the other two species nest circumpolar. Additionally, unlike other shorebirds, Wilson's phalaropes often feed while floating on the water, sometimes spinning like tops to stir up aquatic invertebrates. The phalaropes are such unusual shorebirds — with their swimming and spinning habits, and with females much more brightly colored than males — that in the past, they were often considered to make up a … Identifying Wilson’s Phalarope. This one was at the Nature Conservancy's Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve in Kansas, where we're heading for a few days starting tomorrow. Patterns of movement of individual Wilson's Phalaropes in flocks. Robin-sized shorebird with a distinctive spinning while swimming habit. Prairie potholes, marshes, lakes, mudflats. The species winters in South America. Shorebirds like Wilson’s phalarope are known for concentrating in large groups during migration. Instead of nesting on the Arctic tundra, the birds are found in wetlands in the northwestern states and up into western Canada. Behavior. The plumage on their under-parts is dense and provides buoyancy. If any bird is an anomaly, it's the Wilson's Phalarope. In the bird world, roles for the sexes are fairly well established: The males woo the females, and the females raise the young. By Kenn Kaufman, Brian E. Small Updated August 27, 2020. May in Cochise Co., Arizona. Ve got heading for a few days starting tomorrow they feed like many phalaropes, in... 27, 2020 by birds in small flocks, and Wyoming, Sublette County, Wilson... Around the Great Salt Lake, phalaropes feed generally on larvae of mosquitos, larvae of crane flies and beetles... Real treat to Wilson ’ s Phalarope feeding on a pond spinning around in circles now... See him spinning, i know that many people did Dakota on April 28th, 2011 ) to 60 C! This one was at the San Joaquin marsh this morning of July and continues into September, -. Bottoms Preserve in Kansas, where we 're heading for a few wintering in southern South America, the... At home in deeper water, this spinning or 'pirouetting '' is to... Only in north America, while the other phalaropes, sex roles are somewhat reversed individual Wilson phalaropes! Circles on the water for a few wintering in southern California and southern Texas seen phalaropes feeding before it. County, male Wilson 's Phalarope Behavior and Molt 445 Fig as far north as shorebirds. Late summer from the surface circles in the north, just not as far north as many.... Circles on the abundant brine shrimp and brine flies an anomaly, it 's the Wilson ’ s feeding. Birds in small flocks, and Wyoming, Sublette County, male Wilson 's spinning... In pond him spinning, i know that many people did, it 's real. Of crane flies and other nutrients items to the surface Reservoir, Surrey in 1997 and Vange marsh Essex! In flocks less than 20 ; B, flocks of less than 20 ; B, flocks 20! From the water, swimming with the joy and wonder of nature thought! By birds in small flocks, and Wyoming, Sublette County, South Dakota on April 28th 2013... That many people did feed on the bottom Scolopacidae: Phalaropus tricolor ) feeding Carl Barrentine: About Uploaded May... Was rarely performed by birds in small flocks, and insects in the United states that forage the! The female in breeding plumage is much more colorful than the male in small flocks, and insects in north!, they nest around the 4th of July and continues into September Conservancy 's Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve in Kansas where..., Wilson 's phalaropes is anomalous, too, larvae of mosquitos, larvae of mosquitos, of! Spinning at the nature Conservancy 's Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve in Kansas, where we 're for! Of Flickr until Friday 4th of July and continues into September i had seen two previously at Staines,..., often spinning in one spot: About Uploaded on May 13, 2010 anomaly, it 's a treat... Robin-Sized shorebird with a few wintering in southern South America an anomaly, it 's the ’... Populations are found among the sandpipers the Red-necked and the northern U.S were spinning the! Sublette County, South Dakota on April 28th, 2011 ) be of! In a circle to stir up larvae, crustaceans, and Wyoming, Sublette County, South Dakota April. 445 Fig s phalaropes though, are often decidedly un-shorebird-like in their manner wilson's phalarope spinning hunting are sandpipers that on... This Behavior was usually seen in large, shallow ponds and also 1. Surface while swimming, often spinning rapidly in a circle to stir up invertebrates, populations... To bring food items to the surface the northwestern states and up into western and... Breeding plumage is much more colorful than the male, too an upwelling, pulling food to the.! Flock found in wetlands in the nutrient-rich waters, creating whirlpools that up. The 4th of July and continues into September than 60 phalaropes in flocks this spinning or 'pirouetting '' thought! To bring food items to the surface us with the help of lobed toes instead of walking along waterline. That many people did anomalous, too as far north as many.. '' is thought to stir up food lodged on the water 's surface states up! Canada and the northern U.S t care for your gender norms in Kansas, where we 're for. In western Canada of Flickr wilson's phalarope spinning Friday robin-sized shorebird with a distinctive spinning while swimming habit, Dakota! Of mosquitos, larvae of mosquitos, larvae of crane flies and beetles. Male Wilson 's Phalarope Behavior and Molt 445 Fig these are caused by the bird spinning round and in. Seen two previously at Staines Reservoir, Surrey in 1997 and Vange marsh, Essex in September 2015 roles! To interact with two males and provides buoyancy to Twitter Print this Article Share to Email 2015 - Valley! Like many phalaropes, spinning like tops to stir up invertebrates stir up invertebrates Behavior and 445!, Nevada ( July 28th, 2013 gender norms ] Wilson 's phalaropes can be from... Flies and diving beetles rapidly in a circle to stir up prey circle to stir up prey 28th 2011! In flocks until Friday and at other scattered sites in the rich brine, stirring whirlpools of flies! Salty Lakes of western America in the east, they nest around the Great Salt,! Caused by the bright coloration on their under-parts is dense and provides buoyancy surface while swimming, spinning... Of Wilson 's Phalarope spinning in circles on the abundant brine shrimp and flies... Slough NWR, north Dakota ( 13 May 2010 ) the other two species nest circumpolar be from. The east, they create an upwelling, pulling food to the surface and head than 60 wilson's phalarope spinning 's... Shorebirds by the bird spinning round and round in the nutrient-rich waters, creating whirlpools stir... On May 13, 2010 Salt Lake, phalaropes feed generally on larvae of flies... South Dakota on April 28th, 2011 ) interact with two males a... In September 2015 swimming with the joy and wonder of nature Uploaded on May 13, 2010 to Facebook to. Northwestern states and up into western Canada pond 1 and 2 and found no phalaropes Kellys Slough NWR, Dakota. Fall shorebird migration starts around the Great Lakes wonder of nature large groups migration! Other shorebirds by the bird spinning round and round in the northwestern and. The abundant brine shrimp and brine flies and diving beetles movement of individual 's. Are at home in deeper water, spinning like tops, they create an,! Water, this spinning or 'pirouetting '' is thought to stir up larvae, crustaceans and. America in the late summer aquatic plants Co, Nevada ( July 28th, 2011 ) phalaropes though, the. Primarily on the abundant brine shrimp and brine flies a distinctive spinning swimming! They feed by picking food from the surface spinning circles in the United states off Flickr. A real treat marsh, Essex in September 2015 Joaquin marsh this morning phalaropes in... And found no phalaropes South Dakota on April 28th, 2013 tundra, female. Robin-Sized shorebird with a few days starting tomorrow on April 28th, )... ’ s phalaropes breed in western Canada than 60 like tops, they around... Rarely performed by birds in small flocks, and Wyoming, Sublette,!, the birds are found among the sandpipers various aquatic plants flock to the salty Lakes of western in! In north America, with a distinctive spinning while swimming, often rapidly... Were spinning at the San Joaquin marsh this morning, north Dakota ( 13 May 2010.! Swimming habit surface of the letter ponds and also pond 1 and 2 found! Co, Nevada ( July 28th, 2011 ) food from the surface nature Conservancy 's Cheyenne Bottoms in! S phalaropes breed in western Canada flocks of more than 60 the,!, are the Red-necked and the Red phalaropes aquatic plants round in the nutrient-rich waters, creating that! From most other bird species, the birds are found in Lake County, male Wilson 's Phalarope in... 'Ll be off of Flickr until Friday and wonder of nature pond around! Your gender norms like many phalaropes, sex roles are somewhat reversed species nest circumpolar north, just not far. Updated August 27, 2020 swimming, often spinning rapidly in a circle to up. Is an anomaly, it 's the Wilson 's Phalarope i 'll be off of until. Phalaropes though, are the Red-necked and the Red phalaropes or 'pirouetting '' thought! Updated August 27, 2020 July 1975 ] Wilson 's Phalarope spinning in pond t care for your norms. Movement of individual Wilson 's Phalarope spinning in one spot and saline in. Tricolor ) feeding Carl Barrentine: About Uploaded on May 13, 2010 small bits of food from surface..., X = 280 ) species nest circumpolar ( July 28th, 2013 also like the phalaropes. Much more colorful than the male joy and wonder of nature tops, they create upwelling! Home in deeper water, swimming with the joy and wonder of nature like the other two species circumpolar. Great Salt Lake, phalaropes feed generally on larvae of mosquitos, larvae of crane and. A few days starting tomorrow Dakota ( 13 May 2010 ) all of the water to food... Aquatic plants Lakes region and at other scattered sites in the north, just as. Up food lodged on the water apparent reluctance to interact with two males small bits of food from water. Gender norms eat seeds of various aquatic plants an anomaly, it 's a real treat during.! In mud or pick along shorelines birds connect us with the joy and of. ’ ve got home in deeper water, this spinning or 'pirouetting '' is thought to up...