The RSPB: Red-necked phalarope

Red-necked phalarope

Listen

Sound clips and movies require Adobe Flash player.

Latin name

Phalaropus lobatus

Family

Sandpipers and allies (Scolopacidae)

Overview

These small, delicate waders are adapted well to spending a lot of time on water. Unlike other waders, phalaropes have lobed toes which enable them to swim strongly when on pools or out at sea. They spend most of their time in the water but can equally run about on land. The duller coloured male looks after the eggs and young after laying. As a rare UK breeding species it is a Red List bird.

Where to see them

Small numbers breed on the Western and Northern Isles of Scotland. Birds are also seen on passage in the autumn, usually along the east coast.

When to see them

They arrive back at their breeding grounds in May. Females start to leave in June, with males and young departing in July and August. Best looked for on passage in August and September.

What they eat

Mainly insects

Estimated numbers

Europe	UK breeding*	UK wintering*	UK passage*
-	20-30 males	-	30 birds

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.

Distribution

Key

Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.

Audio is from commercial recordings Bird Songs and Calls of Britain and Europe on 4 CDs or Bird Sounds of Europe & North-west Africa, copyright WildSounds & CEBA (www.wildsounds.com, (UK) +44 (0) 1263 741100)