Red-necked Phalarope? - Playa Del Rey, CA - USA (1 Viewer)

[PONYRCR]

Saw this little bird fly in and land on the water today at the Ballona Marsh. Once it landed it was so small I almost couldn't see it with the naked eye.

I think this is a Red-necked Phalarope. I did see it do one quick spin, but only one spin.

Sorry picture quality sucks. Bird was a bit far off, and very small.

 

[tim.birdboy]

Seeing that the bird has a dark, somewhat streaky gray back, I would say Red-necked, but Red can't be ruled out from the photo. Do you recall anything regarding the bill? A Red-necked would have a very thin, needle-like bill, and a Red would have a much heavier bill, similar to a Pectoral Sandpiper.

 

[jcwings]

I get the impression of a small bill, and a bi-colored one at that. I can make out yellow except for a dark tip. This would be good for Red Phalarope.

 

[stirling]

I will go for red.
Best from mike.

 

[Dave Hall]

Hi I think that its a Red-necked Phalarope

 

[tarzzz]

I'll go for Red-necked...

http://nuolja.se/faglar/smalnabbad_simsnappa.asp

//Ben

 

[CAU]

I think that the bill looks a bit better for Red Phalarope, but since the picture is so small it is probably best to leave the bird unidentified.

Red Phalarope:
http://www.hi.is/~yannk/myndir/isl.fuglar/db_phaful_juv.jpg

Red-necked Phalarope:
http://birds.poland.pl/gal/131/137/157/med.jpg

 

[PONYRCR]

Seeing that the bird has a dark, somewhat streaky gray back, I would say Red-necked, but Red can't be ruled out from the photo. Do you recall anything regarding the bill? A Red-necked would have a very thin, needle-like bill, and a Red would have a much heavier bill, similar to a Pectoral Sandpiper.

In my notes I noted a small black short stubby bill.

 

[atricapillus]

Looks like a 2-2 split, with one uncertain.

The bill and shape of the eye patch would suggest Red Phalarope.
CHEERS, JOE G

 

[PONYRCR]

Checked the Ballona Marsh bird list and it only shows two Phalaropes, Wilson's and a Red-necked which doesn't mean a Red Phalarope couldn't show up but it hasn't been recorded before at the marsh.



I was out at the Jetties in Playa Del Rey today. The jetties are about a mile (or less) from the Ballona Marsh.

I photo'd these phalaropes at the jetties today. Today's birds were much more accomodating for photos then yesterday's bird. Chances are pretty good that this is the same bird that was at the marsh yesterday.

I believe these are Red-necks.

 

[Chris Benesh]

Hi PONYRCR,

The birds in post #10 are indeed juvenile Red-necked Phalaropes. The thin bill being indicative of the species, and the streaky golden patterned upperparts being indicative of age.

Chris

 

[Ian Hamiltan]

im leaning towards grey,it seems to have to much white on the crown for a red neck.

 

[CAU]

The birds in the new photos are indeed Red-necked Phalaropes, like Chris says. If Red is so rare there, very probably your first shot also showed a Red-necked.

 

[birderbf]

I get the hint of Red-necked for both photos. Red relaly shouldn't show such a dark back as in post 1.