Phalaropus fulicarius
The Grey Phalarope is a small wader with a distinctive, chunky body and needle-like bill. In winter, it displays a pale grey back and white underparts. During the breeding season, its plumage transforms dramatically.
Females are more brightly coloured than males in breeding plumage, with a rusty-red neck and underparts, contrasting with a grey face and black cap. Males are duller, with mottled brown upperparts and less intense red colouration.
Juveniles' upperparts are dark brown, streaked with white. Their underparts are mainly white but with a pinkish wash on the sides of the breast. Like adults in winter plumage, juveniles have a dark grey streaked crown, whitish-pink face and neck, and black markings next to their eyes.
Length
20cm to 22cm
Wingspan
40cm to 44cm
Weight
40g to 60g
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Grey Phalaropes breed in the high Arctic tundra, nesting near shallow freshwater pools. Outside the breeding season, they are pelagic, spending months at sea in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
During migration, they can be observed along the coastlines of North America, Europe, and Asia.
In the UK, they are most commonly seen as passage migrants, particularly along western coasts, usually following a storm, when strong winds and unsettled weather may blow them off course, with some individuals briefly appearing at inland wetlands
Sea level to 1,000 meters
Arctic, Temperate, Tropical
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Grey Phalarope. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you: