Red-Necked Phalarope
Phalaropus lobatus
In the North American spring and summer, Red-Necked Phalaropes breed in Alaska, Yukon, Northwest Territory and east across northern Canada, but these birds breed all over the globe in places such as southern Greenland and northern Europe and northern Asia. Winter finds these birds in southerly environs, often in tropical waters. In the Americas a few birds may winter as far north as southern California, but most fly further south. Near the Pacific coast, anywhere from the USA-Mexican border to Peru in South America might play host to these birds, but some will stay near the Atlantic coast in southern Argentina. Elsewhere around the globe they will winter near the Atlantic coast of northern Africa, the Indian Ocean shores of the Arabian Peninsula, Afganistan and western India, or in the western Pacific throughout Indonesia, China and Japan.
Phalaropes aren’t the only shorebirds who practice polyandry, but they are the most famous. Females usually arrive on the breeding grounds before the males and set up territories to attract as many mates as they can. After they lay their eggs, she leaves to find another mate (or two or three …). Then she abandons the north, leaving the males to care for the next generation.
Like their cousins, the Red Phalarope and the Wilson’s Phalarope, Red-Neck Phalaropes sometime forage in shallow water by swimming rapidly in a tight circular fashion. The motion creates a vortex in the water, drawing small invertebrate prey to the surface, where they can grab the tiny morsels with their needle-like bills.
Most of my meetings with Red-Necked Phalaropes have been of winter birds in Southern California, but my favorite memories are from the Yukon in Canada and the Great Salt Lake in Utah. The birds I met in Canada were breeding at a small lake on the tundra along a lonely stretch of the Dempster Highway. In Utah I met them by the millions as they refueled on their migration south in August 2017. Seen in such large numbers, these birds create an impressive spectacle when they all rise in unison and murmerate over the water.

Red-necked Phalarope(Phalaropus lobatus) |
Description: (Phalaropus lobatus) Juvenile at the Saltworks at South San Diego Bay NWR. San Diego County, California USA 2011-07-27. |
Date Taken: 2009:08:05 8:59 |
Location:
Saltworks |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/5000 |
File Name: JCD5163.RedNeckedPhalarope.Juvenile |
© 2009 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |


Red-necked Phalarope(Phalaropus lobatus) |
Description: (Phalaropus lobatus) Breeding adult with captured prey item. Dempster Highway, North Fork Pass, Yukon, Canada 2005-06-29. |
Date Taken: 2005:06:29 12:44 |
Location:
Glenboyle |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 400 mm, f/12.0, 1/250 |
File Name: JCD6897RedNeckedPhalarope |
© 2005 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |


Red-Necked Phalarope(Phalaropus lobatus) |
Description: Juvenile bird at the Saltworks at South San Diego Bay NWR. San Diego County, California USA 2009-08-05. |
Date Taken: 2009:08:05 11:08 |
Location:
Saltworks |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: JCD5926.RedNeckedPhalarope.Juvenile |
© 2009 Jack Daynes, shadetree-imaging |


Red-necked Phalarope(Phalaropus lobatus) |
Description: (Phalaropus lobatus) Juvenile. Saltworks at South San Diego Bay NWR. San Diego County, California USA 2009-08-05. |
Date Taken: 2009:08:05 10:19 |
Location:
Saltworks |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/10.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: JCD5677.RedNeckedPhalarope.Juvenile |
© 2009 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |


Red-necked Phalarope(Phalaropus lobatus) |
Description: (Phalaropus lobatus) Juvenile. Saltworks at South San Diego Bay NWR. San Diego County, California USA 2009-08-05. |
Date Taken: 2009:08:05 10:19 |
Location:
Saltworks |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/10.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: JCD5676.RedNeckedPhalarope.Juvenile |
© 2009 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |


Red-Necked Phalarope(Phalaropus lobatus) |
Description: North Fork Pass, Dempster Highway, Yukon, Canada. |
Date Taken: 2005:06:19 15:51 |
Location:
North Fork Pass |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 550 mm, f/7.1, 1/400 |
File Name: JCD5386RedNeckedPhalorope |
© 2005 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Red-necked Phalarope(Phalaropus lobatus) |
Description: (Phalaropus lobatus) Foraging at the Saltworks at South San Diego Bay NWR. San Diego County, California USA 2011-07-27. |
Date Taken: 2009:08:05 9:05 |
Location:
Saltworks |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/4000 |
File Name: JCD5271.RedNeckedPhalarope |
© 2009 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |


Red-necked Phalarope(Phalaropus lobatus) |
Description: (Phalaropus lobatus) Flying away at the Saltworks at South San Diego Bay NWR. San Diego County, California USA 2011-07-27. |
Date Taken: 2009:08:05 9:02 |
Location:
Saltworks |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/6000 |
File Name: JCD5190.RedNeckedPhalarope |
© 2009 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |


Red-necked Phalarope(Phalaropus lobatus) |
Description: (Phalaropus lobatus) formerly called "Northern Phalarope". Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertibrate Zoology in Camarillo, California USA 2011-11-01. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:01 14:44 |
Location:
W F V Z |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/8.0, 1/1 |
File Name: D3X4526-RedNeckedPhalarope |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Red-necked Phalarope(Phalaropus lobatus) |
Description: (Phalaropus lobatus) Saltworks at South San Diego Bay NWR. San Diego County, California USA 2011-07-27. |
Date Taken: 2009:08:05 8:57 |
Location:
Saltworks |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/4000 |
File Name: JCD5137.RedNeckedPhalarope |
© 2009 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |


Red-necked Phalarope(Phalaropus lobatus) |
Description: (Phalaropus lobatus) Saltworks. Part of the South San Diego Bay NWR, San Diego, California USA 2011-07-27. |
Date Taken: 2011:07:27 11:19 |
Location:
Piedras Blancas |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/4000 |
File Name: JCD1466-RedNeckedPhalarope |
© 2011 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |


Red-necked Phalarope(Phalaropus lobatus) |
Description: (Phalaropus lobatus) flying in formation at the Saltworks. Part of the South San Diego Bay NWR, San Diego, California USA 2011-07-27. |
Date Taken: 2011:07:27 10:25 |
Location:
Saltworks |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/6400 |
File Name: JCD1397-RedNeckedPhalarope |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |


Red-Necked Phalarope(Phalaropus lobatus) |
Description: Fall migrant we saw during a day at the Saltworks, part of the San Diego National Wildlife Complex. Near Imperial Beach, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:07:27 10:15 |
Location:
Saltworks |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/4000 |
File Name: JCD1331-RedNeckedPhalarope |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Red-Necked Phalarope(Phalaropus lobatus) |
Description: (Phalaropus lobatus) Adult in alternate (breeding) plumage at the Salton Sea at Poe Road. Imperial County near Westmoreland, California USA 2015-04-28. |
Date Taken: 2015:04:27 17:39 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/10.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: D3X7808-RedNeckedPhalarope |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |


Red-Necked Phalarope(Phalaropus lobatus) |
Description: (Phalaropus lobatus) Adult pair in alternate (breeding) plumage at the Salton Sea at Poe Road. Imperial County near Westmoreland, California USA 2015-04-27. |
Date Taken: 2015:04:27 15:51 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/10.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: D3X7481-RedNeckedPhalarope |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |


Red-Necked Phalarope(Phalaropus lobatus) |
Description: (Phalaropus lobatus) Salton Sea at Poe Road. Imperial County near Westmoreland, California USA 2015-04-27. |
Date Taken: 2015:04:27 15:51 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/10.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X7465-RedNeckedPhalarope |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |


Red-Necked Phalarope(Phalaropus lobatus) |
Description: Adult in alternate (breeding) plumage at the Salton Sea at Poe Road. Imperial County near Westmoreland, California USA 2015-04-27. |
Date Taken: 2015:04:27 15:51 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/10.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X7463-RedNeckedPhalarope |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |


Red-necked Phalarope(Phalaropus lobatus) |
Description: (Phalaropus lobatus) formerly called "Northern Phalarope". Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology in Camarillo, California USA 2011-11-01. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:01 14:45 |
Location:
W F V Z |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/8.0, 1/1 |
File Name: D3X4529-RedNeckedPhalarope |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Red-Necked Phalarope(Phalaropus lobatus) |
Description: A mixed flock of with Wilson's Phalaropes flying in tight formation. Seen during Tern survey day at the Saltworks, part of the San Diego National Wildlife Complex. Near Imperial Beach, California. |
Date Taken: 2015:07:08 12:27 |
Location:
Saltworks |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 200 mm, f/11.0, 1/500 |
File Name: D3X2539-RedNeckedPhalarope |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Red-Necked Phalarope(Phalaropus lobatus) |
Description: Juvenile birds feeding in the slough on South San Diego Bay at 7th Street in Imperial Beach California, San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2019:09:06 8:06 |
Location:
7th Street |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: RedNeckedPhalarope_D5X77527thStreetSlough |
© 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Red-Necked Phalarope(Phalaropus lobatus) |
Description: Juvenile birds feeding in the slough on South San Diego Bay at 7th Street in Imperial Beach California, San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2019:09:06 8:06 |
Location:
7th Street |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: RedNeckedPhalarope_D5X77517thStreetSlough |
© 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Red-Necked Phalarope(Phalaropus lobatus) |
Description: Tern survey day at the Saltworks, part of the San Diego National Wildlife Complex. Near Imperial Beach, California. |
Date Taken: 2015:08:05 12:15 |
Location:
Saltworks |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X2903-RedNeckedPhalarope |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Red-Necked Phalarope(Phalaropus lobatus) |
Description: Tern survey day at the Saltworks, part of the San Diego National Wildlife Complex. Near Imperial Beach, California. |
Date Taken: 2015:08:05 11:32 |
Location:
Saltworks |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/800 |
File Name: D3X2814-RedNeckedPhalarope |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Red-Necked Phalarope(Phalaropus lobatus) |
Description: Juvenile bird seen during a day at the Saltworks, part of the San Diego National Wildlife Complex. Near Imperial Beach, California. |
Date Taken: 2015:08:19 10:09 |
Location:
Saltworks |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X4602-RedNeckedPhalarope |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Red-Necked Phalarope(Phalaropus lobatus) |
Description: Juvenile bird seen during a day at the Saltworks, part of the San Diego National Wildlife Complex. Near Imperial Beach, California. |
Date Taken: 2015:08:19 10:19 |
Location:
Saltworks |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X4669-RedNeckedPhalarope |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Red-Necked Phalarope(Phalaropus lobatus) |
Description: When the phalaropes lifted off and wheeled over the water, it was breathtaking. Antelope Island State Park is one of the most memorable birding locations I've had the pleasure of visiting. It sits north of Salt Lake City Utah near the community of Layton. |
Date Taken: 2017:08:17 7:15 |
Location:
Antelope Island |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: RedNeckedPhalarope_D5X5316-AntelopeIsland |
© 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Red-Necked Phalarope(Phalaropus lobatus) |
Description: When the phalaropes lifted off and wheeled over the water, it was breathtaking. Antelope Island State Park is one of the most memorable birding locations I've had the pleasure of visiting. It sits north of Salt Lake City Utah near the community of Layton. |
Date Taken: 2017:08:17 6:37 |
Location:
Antelope Island |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: RedNeckedPhalarope_D5X4772-AntelopeIsland |
© 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Red-Necked Phalarope(Phalaropus lobatus) |
Description: Juvenile at the mouth of the San Luis Rey River in Oceanside, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:09:23 11:47 |
Location:
San Luis Rey Rivermouth |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D3X0320-RedNeckedPhalarope |
© 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |


Red-Necked Phalarope(Phalaropus lobatus) |
Description: Juvenile at the mouth of the San Luis Rey River in Oceanside, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:09:23 11:37 |
Location:
San Luis Rey Rivermouth |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D3X0284-RedNeckedPhalarope |
© 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |


Red-Necked Phalarope(Phalaropus lobatus) |
Description: When the phalaropes lifted off and wheeled over the water, it was breathtaking. Antelope Island State Park is one of the most memorable birding locations I've had the pleasure of visiting. It sits north of Salt Lake City Utah near the community of Layton. |
Date Taken: 2017:08:17 7:15 |
Location:
Antelope Island |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: RedNeckedPhalarope_D5X5316-AntelopeIsland |
© 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Red-Necked Phalarope(Phalaropus lobatus) |
Description: Antelope Island State Park is one of the most memorable birding locations I've had the pleasure of visiting. It sits north of Salt Lake City Utah near the community of Layton. |
Date Taken: 2017:08:17 6:57 |
Location:
Antelope Island |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: RedNeckedPhalarope_D5X5043-AntelopeIsland |
© 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Red-Necked Phalarope(Phalaropus lobatus) |
Description: When the phalaropes lifted off and wheeled over the water, it was breathtaking. Antelope Island State Park is one of the most memorable birding locations I've had the pleasure of visiting. It sits north of Salt Lake City Utah near the community of Layton. |
Date Taken: 2017:08:17 6:28 |
Location:
Antelope Island |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: RedNeckedPhalarope_D5X4614-AntelopeIsland |
© 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |

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