Subject: Phalarope comparisons
Date: Dec 17 07:40:51 2002
From: Mike Patterson - celata at pacifier.com


The following link is to an image of RED PHALAROPE and
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE standing together:
http://home.pacifier.com/~neawanna/shore_photo/phal.jpg

Note that the Red Phalarope is larger (Dunlin/Sanderling sized)
and the Red-necked is smaller (Baird's/female western sized).
Red has a hefty, Sandering-like bill and the Red-necked has
a needle-sharp bill. In basic plumage, both species look
pretty close to the same, though Red is usually very plain on
the back and coverts, while Red-necked looks streakier and with
brighter edges to the coverts, but WET RED PHALAROPES CAN LOOK
VERY STREAKY.

An over-wintering Red-necked Phalarope would be very unusual
and requires documentation and photographs if reproted on a
bird count. On the other hand, Red Phalaropes regularly get
blown in during winter stroms. This year 154 were counted on
the Columbia Estuary CBC, from sewage ponds, parking lots,
mud puddles...

--
Mike Patterson
Astoria, OR
celata at pacifier.com

A child who becomes acquainted with the birds about him
hears every sound and puzzles out its meaning with a cleverness
that amazes those with ears who hear not.

-Neltje Blanchan

http://www.pacifier.com/~mpatters/bird/bird.html