Wilson's Phalarope

Phalaropus tricolor

HOW TO IDENTIFY:

* Length: 7.5 inches
* Fairly small, long-legged shorebird
* Often swims, spinning about and picking at the water
* Thin, straight, black bill much longer than head
* White rump, pale gray tail
* Wings dark, unstriped

Adult female alternate:

* Black legs
* Pale gray crown and nape, hindneck whiter
* Thick, dark eyeline extends down neck, becoming chestnut, and turns onto back, forming V
* White throat and supercilium
* Rich rusty foreneck
* White breast and belly
* Gray back and upperwings
* Rusty stripe at base of wings

Adult male alternate:

* Plumage duller than in female alternate
* Black legs
* Dark brown crown and eyeline, extending down neck and onto back
* Back and upperwings gray-brown
* White throat, supercilium, and hindneck
* Pale rusty foreneck
* White breast and belly

Adult basic:

* Yellowish legs
* Gray crown, hindneck, and back
* Pale face with variable black stripe through eye
* White throat, breast and belly

Juvenile:

* Similar to the basic-plumaged adult but browner
* More distinct face pattern with a prominent dark cap and dark eye stripe
* Buffy wash to the neck and chest
* Pale buffy edges to feathers on back and upperwing coverts

Similar species:

Yellowlegs have longer, brighter yellow legs, spotted upperparts, streaks and bars about head and have a barred tail. Red-necked and Red Phalaropes both have wing stripes and dark rumps and tails, as well as shorter bills. Basic-plumaged Stilt Sandpiper and Wilson's Phalarope are similar, but Stilt Sandpiper has longer legs and dusky streaks on chest and flanks.