Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius), Long Point Tank, Coconino County

This Red Phalarope was found by Lauren Harter, Felipe Guerrero, and David Vander Pluym on 12 November 2017 and photographed by David Vander Pluym on the same date.

Red Phalaropes are casual transients in Arizona. Although they have occurred in nearly every month of the year, they are mostly found in the late fall and early winter. Very rare in northern Arizona, this is the first recorded in the Grand Canyon Region.

Stout bill with a pale base, short legs, plain gray back and a white crown are all helpful to identification. Note the retained juvenile tertials and feathers at the base of the neck.

12 November 2017, photo by David Vander Pluym

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