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Revision as of 22:35, 23 March 2009
- Phalaropus lobatus
Identification
18 cm
- Dark grey to black bill
- Blue-grey legs
- Lobed feet
- Needle-like bill
Winter
Grey above with wing bar and most of head and underparts white.
Summer Head grey-brown with white chin and face patch. Orange patch on side of neck and throat
Male duller than female
Juvenile
Similar to winter adult but browner upperparts. Buff neck and breast.
In 'flight bold white wing bar, reminiscent of Sanderling and long white rump coverts
Distribution
Breeds in arctic regions of North America and Eurasia. Iceland and very locally in northern and western islands of Scotland and NW Ireland.
Taxonomy
Habitat
Open waters and marshy areas.
Behaviour
A rather confiding bird, showing little fear of humans.
Breeding
The females pursue males, compete for nesting territory, and will defend their nests and chosen mates. Once the females lay their eggs, they begin their southward migration, leaving the males to incubate the eggs and look after the young. 3-7 eggs are laid in a ground nest near a marshy area. The young mainly feed themselves and are able to fly within 20 days of birth.
Diet
Diet includes small insects or crustaceans.
Flight
Flight outline 'tubby'. Swims with tail held up. 'Spins' on water.
Vocalisation
Call: "twit" and "tirric, tirric". A funny grunting noise prior to flight.
<flashmp3>Phalaropus lobatus (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
References
- Wikipedia
- Collins Pocket Guide to British Birds 1966
- Collins Field Guide 5th Edition
