Page 200 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

WADERS
Order Charadriiformes Family Scolopacidae Species Phalaropus fulicarius
Grey Phalarope

black eye yellow-based MALE
patch dark bill (SUMMER)
broad white
wingbar
pearly grey
back

white
FEMALE cheeks
(SUMMER)
white
underparts black face
ADULT (WINTER)
IN FLIGHT
thick, dark-
tipped yellow
bill
orange-red
underside

FEMALE (SUMMER)

ike other phalaropes, this species has “reversed
L roles”: females are brighter than males, and the FLIGHT: slightly fluttery, erratic, low flight over
males incubate eggs and rear the chicks.A more waves with shallow wingbeats.
northerly breeding bird than other phalaropes, it is,
however, the most common along European coasts in
autumn, sometimes turning up inland after autumn
gales. Its frequent swimming is distinctive but inland it
is often found on muddy shorelines like other waders.
At sea, it is easily overlooked but sometimes gathers in
small, swimming groups which fly off low and fast if
disturbed by a ship.
VOICE High prip or whit.
NESTING Small, grassy hollow in northern tundra;
4 eggs; 1 brood; June–July. SWIMMING JUVENILE
FEEDING Picks invertebrates from mud and surface The Grey Phalarope swims on the open sea and may be brought close
of water, often while swimming. inshore by autumn gales, but is usually able to cope with rough seas.
SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRENCE
Rare breeder in Iceland. Otherwise
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE SANDERLING winter, lives at sea, sometimes off head-
winter, similar to adult similar to adult
winter; see p.199 winter; see p.177 lands on migration in storms; a
few may be blown onto all kinds
more of shores and inland pools by
striped very gales in autumn, but always rare,
above fine bill especially in breeding plumage.
pale Seen in the UK
head
J F M A M JJ A S O N D
Length 20–22cm (8–9in) Wingspan 37–40cm (14 1 ⁄2 –16in) Weight 50–75g (1 3 ⁄4 –2 5 ⁄8oz)
Social Small flocks Lifespan Up to 10 years Status Secure†
198