Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius), North end of Lake Havasu, Mohave County

This Red Phalarope was discovered by Lauren Harter 11 October 2011 and photographed (from a kayak) by John West on 15 October 2011.

Red Phalarope is a casual to rare fall migrant, particularly along the Lower Colorado River Valley.

With good views such as this, identification is straightforward. Red Phalarope is the only phalarope with a stout bill. The plain gray unstreaked back also help set it apart from Red-necked Phalarope.

15 October 2011, photos by John West

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