The phalarope question started the wheels spinning in my head.
I think we can rule out the Coriolus effect. Why would they care or
be affected since it is such a weak force?
It might be a genetic thing. People are right or left-handed; maybe
phalaropes are the same way, only with spinning. Crossbills are left or
right billed, but that is morphilogical (the bill is crossed with the top
either on the left of right, making it easier to extract pine seeds from one
side of the cone resulting in both side of the cone being eaten (at least
that is how it was explained to me). Maybe spinning in different directions
allows phalaropes to split their niche.
Maybe they alternate. One time they go left, next time they go right.
Maybe it is a social thing. Perhaps feeding is more efficient if
all of the birds are spinning the same way.
So watch those phalaropes and tell me how they are spinning (I will
have to wait several weeks before I can make any observations!)

Just wondering. I think I will head over to the library later.


Deb Beutler
Department of Zoology
P.O. Box 644236
Washington State Univerisity
Pullman, Whitman Co., WA
dbeutler at wsunix.wsu.edu