Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius), Dairy near Stanfield, Pinal County

This Red Phalarope was photographed by Doug Jenness on 21 September 2020

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. This the 8th known record for Pinal County and the first for September.

Shorter, thicker beak than similar Red-necked Phalarope. Uniform pale gray upperparts indicative of nonbreeding adults, which molt into basic plumage earlier than RNPH. Both juvenile and nonbreeding adults of the latter would have some speckling or white striping on the upper parts at this date. Thicker neck than RNPH and riding higher in the water.

21 September 2020, photo by Doug Jenness

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