Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius), Amado Pond, Pinal County

This Red Phalarope was found by Sue Carnahan at the Amado Pond on 18 December 2008. Laurens Halsey photographed the bird on 19 December 2008.

Red Phalaropes are casual transients in Arizona.  Although they have occurred in nearly every month of the year, they are mostly to be found in the late fall and early winter. Of the two species of pelagic phalaropes, the other species, Red-necked Phalarope, is more common in Arizona.  However, it migrates through Arizona mainly in September.  Most phalaropes observed after early October are Reds. 

This Red Phalarope is in basic plumage, perhaps molting from juvenile plumage. The relatively uniform gray mantle and thick blunt appearing bill with yellow at the base separate this individual from Red-necked Phalarope. A Red-necked in similar plumage would show a darker, more streaked mantle and an all dark, thin, pointed bill.

19 December 2008, photo by Laurens Halsey

All photos are copyrighted© by photographer