Wilson's Phalarope

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Wilson's Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor) are medium sized shorebirds that winter in both fresh and salt water areas, south of the United States.

The dark stripe running through the eye and a longer than average bill are common field identification marks.

They breed in fresh water environments around the upper Midwest and Northwest states, so you may see them locally during migration in many surrounding areas.

Their current population size is uncertain. There are reports of low populations at some normal migration sites in the West. However, those population drops may be better correlated with season drought patterns rather than the phalarope's long term population trends.

Like other shorebirds,their diet consists of the insects and aquatic organisms common to their breeding or wintering habitat.

© 2005 Patricia A. Michaels.