- Scientific name: Phalaropus fulicarius
- Species of Greatest Conservation Need (MA State Wildlife Action Plan)
Description
The red phalarope is an Arctic breeding shorebird that spends time in pelagic environments during the non-breeding period. They are a small (20–22 cm [~8 in] long), migratory sandpiper with a broader bill than other phalaropes. In breeding plumage, they have large white cheek patches, bright chestnut-red necks and underparts, a dark crown that extends forward to its bill, and are black and buffy above with a streaked appearance. Non-breeding adults are pale gray above with white necks and underparts. Juveniles and immatures have a less clean gray back in comparison. Like all phalaropes, red phalaropes show reversed sexual dimorphism where females are the larger and more brightly colored sex.
Life cycle and behavior
The red phalarope is the most pelagic phalarope, spending up to 11 months of the year at sea. While migration timing is not well known, they likely depart their offshore wintering grounds sometime in March and travel almost exclusively over water to their subarctic and arctic breeding grounds. Red phalaropes arrive at their breeding grounds sometime between late May and mid-June. They have a typical clutch size of four eggs and lay one brood per season. Males are solely responsible for incubating eggs and brooding young. The incubation period is 17–26 days. Chicks are precocial and covered in down at hatch. Age at fledging is unknown, but chicks can fly at 18 days. Females and non-breeding adults leave the breeding grounds as early as late June. Juveniles typically depart their breeding grounds from mid-July through August. Age at first breeding is unknown, but likely within one year.
Population status
There are no available data on population estimates, trends, or status.
Distribution and abundance
Phalaropes are a widely distributed, circumpolar breeder that can be found in pelagic areas in Massachusetts throughout much of the year.
While their wintering range is not well defined, records and evidence suggest that red phalaropes are found at-sea near major upwelling currents: in the east Pacific from Chile to central California, in the west Atlantic from North Carolina to Florida, and in the east Atlantic from Western Sahara to Ghana and off Namibia and South Africa. They are abundant near the Humboldt, Canary, Guinea, and Benguela Currents. Red phalaropes are found further offshore than red-necked phalaropes.
Habitat
Red phalaropes breed throughout the Holarctic in coastal, marshy tundra. Prior to breeding, they are associated with leads in ice or edge of pack ice, where prey is abundant. Their migrations are likely associated with oceanic fronts. They are entirely pelagic in the winter and often are found near upwellings and oceanic fronts.
Healthy habitats are vital for supporting native wildlife and plants. Explore habitats and learn about conservation and restoration in Massachusetts.
Threats
Little information is available on threats to red phalaropes. Climate change is likely the largest threat to the species, as suitable breeding habitats are projected to decrease significantly. Red phalaropes are likely negatively impacted by habitat degradation from petroleum industry development and overgrazing reindeer, but the extent is unknown. They are known to consume plastic, but data are lacking on impacts.
Red phalarope adults, eggs, and chicks are consumed by predators on their breeding grounds. Predators include foxes, weasels, polar bears, gulls and jaegers, falcons, sandhill cranes, and squirrels.
Plastic trash in the environment poses a threat as it can be mistaken as food by seabirds and shorebirds and ingested or cause entanglement. Ingested plastics, common for seabirds, can block digestive tracts, cause internal injuries, disrupt the endocrine system, and lead to death. Entanglement from fishing gear and other string-like plastics can cause mortality by strangulation and impairing movements.
Conservation
Red phalaropes are not monitored or managed throughout their range. Much research and surveying are needed on all aspects of their migration, biology, and physiology, as well as increased awareness of threats and associated impacts. Avoid or recycle single-use plastics and promote and participate in beach cleanup efforts.
References
BirdLife International. “Species factsheet: red phalarope phalaropus fulicarius.” 2024. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/red-phalarope-phalaropus-fulicarius
Tracy, D. M., D. Schamel, and J. Dale. Red phalarope (phalaropus fulicarius), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (S. M. Billerman, Editor). 2020. Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi-org.silk.library.umass.edu/10.2173/bow.redpha1.01
Veit, R., and W.R. Petersen. Birds of Massachusetts. Lincoln, MA: Massachusetts Audubon Society, 1993.
Contact
| Date published: | May 16, 2025 |
|---|