Red [Grey] Phalarope
by
Shop
Phalaropus fulicarius
Rare, but regular Autumn migrant with 400-600 per year in Britain from late September-December.
Breeds in Greenland, Iceland & North America.
Breeding Adults are very rare in Britain.
Breeding Females ar predominantly dark brown and black above, with red underparts and white cheek patches.
The bill is yellow, tipped black.
The breeding Male is a duller version of the Female.
Juveniles are light grey and brown above, with buff underparts and a dark patch through the eye.
In winter, the plumage is essentially grey above and white below, but the black eyepatch is always present.
The bill is black in winter & thick.
Their call is a short beek.
They have a white wingbar in flight.