Subject: Re: Grey Phalarope in SA
Date: Feb 19 22:17:41 1998
From: lopezba at atnet.at - lopezba at atnet.at


Jane -

>For what it's worth, I don't know that I've ever seen a phalarope
>turn in only one direction. I've watched them on freshwater ponds at
>Klammath NWR, and in saltwater marshes and bays on the California
>coast. My recollection is that they'll turn in one direction,
>straighten out to move to a new spot, then turn in the same or
>opposite direction. There doesn't appear to be any pattern as to
>when they'll turn in which direction.

Thanks for the reply. Funny thing is that the "Birds of the Western
Palearctic" state that the Grey Phalarope "characteristically spins by
revolving in either direction (mostly clockwise) in circle c. 10 cm
diameter, pecking outwards at food particles; c. 39 spins per minute;
spinning movement may bring prey into view or within reach", while the
"Handbook of the Birds of the World" claims that the Red-necked Phalarope
"often spins around in water, anti-clockwise, slightly faster than P.
fulicaria", but has nothing to say about the Grey (or Red) Phalarope's
preferences. So there seems to be some bias, maybe comparable to handedness
in humans. That seems to change with hemispheres - at least I always use my
left hand to change gears when I am in Southern Africa, as opposed to using
the right hand in Europe ;>)
Regards
Peter Hirsch
Vienna, Austria