The Red-necked Phalarope is a tiny, delicate shorebird that spends most of its life on the open ocean, spinning on the water surface to create whirlpools that draw up zooplankton. Like all phalaropes, the females are more colorful and leave the males to incubate eggs and raise chicks. Its brick-red neck in breeding plumage is the best field mark.
Best time to see a Red-necked Phalarope
The best time to see a Red-necked Phalarope is July–September, when about 62% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 7,231 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Red-necked Phalarope? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Red-necked Phalarope sightings near you
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