The Howland
Picture Pages: Wilson's Phalarope The Howland
Picture Pages: Wilson's PhalaropePage by Royce
Last update: $Date: 2004/01/28 04:56:29 $ (UTC)
The Wilson's Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor) is a smallish shorebird that we honestly were hardly aware of until fairly recently. While juveniles are somewhat unremarkable among the family that includes various similar-looking Sandpipers, males and especially females in breeding plumage are distinctive, with rich chestnut tones dominating their coloring. Having said that, the Wilson's is the least colorful of the Phalaropes.
Also unlike the rest of the non-Phalarope members of the family, the typical gender roles are reversed. Female Wilson's Phalaropes are larger and typically more brightly colored, and compete for territory with displays and aggressive behavior. Males are smaller, drabber in color, and perform most of the nest duties, from creation through caring for the nestlings until they fledge. For these and other reasons, the Phalaropes have sometimes been separated into their own family.
The Wilson's Phalarope frequents freshwater mud flats, shallow pools and marshes, and is more likely to be found on land than the other Phalaropes. This is no doubt is why it likes Alberta and prairies in general as its summer range. The Wilson's Phalarope is an active swimmer, often performing tight spins and circles to bring potential invertebrate food to the surface of the water where it can be munched in the bird's long bill.
Resources where you can find out more:
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Just motoring around...
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As mentioned on numerous other pages, I was out one Saturday (May 31, 2003) looking for a Fulvous Whistling-Duck in a prairie wetland area in north-east Calgary. I found the Whistling-Duck, as well as numerous other species including this Wilson's Phalarope which I take to be a female from the coloring, particularly the grey head. Reading about the bird after getting back home to my copy of Sibley and other references, the constant mention of the Phalarope's spinning swimming behavior to stir of food was obvious. It was quite interesting to watch in real-time, although it made getting a good photograph very hard. Especially since the day was cloudy and windy to begin with. This shot is the best I was able to get on this day. It was taken with a digiscoping rig (a combination spotting scope and camera) at a distance of probably around 80m. EXIF 2.2 photo info:
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Unless stated otherwise, all photos and other content on these pages is copyright © 2002 - 2003 by Royce Howland.
Please don't steal anything for your own purposes, in particular if you have a plan for making fabulous stacks of cash in so doing. If you would like to use a photo or other content you find here, or just want to contact us about something, please send email to royce@3ge.com.
