Wilson's Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor)

Wilson's Phalarope
Phalaropus tricolor

The *Wilson's Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor)* breeds across much of the northern great plains of the United States and much of western Canada. The species winters in South America. It is regularly observed during migration when large numbers are sometimes seem spinning circles on ponds as lakes as they forage for tiny aquatic prey. Phalaropes are quite unusual among North American birds in that the female is more boldly marked and more colorfully plumaged than the male. The species nests in prairie grasslands, so they often fly circles around a car driving along a dirt road, affording some opportunities for flight shots. The male in the next two shots of the left was at Bowdoin N.W.R., Phillips Co., Montana, in June, 2007. The shots were taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark II and EF 500mm F/4 L IS lens and 1.4X extender.

This pair in flight, female shown here, was also at Bowdoin N.W.R.
This male was slowing to land in the prairie grassland.

The male in flight in the next 3 shots was vocalizing as he flew over me.


The next two shots show a male (top) and a female at Bowdoin N.W.R.

This pair of Wilson's Phalaropes flew past me near Whitewater, Phillips Co., Montana. Out of the quick series of images I got of this pair flashing past, this was the only one in good focus, and unfortunately the male has blinked.
The next 5 shots show a male Wilson's Phalarope at Medicine Lake N.W.R., Sheridan Co., Montana, in June, 2007. The bird has been preening and is now shaking out his feathers. These images were taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark III and EF 600mm F/4 L IS lens and 1.4X extender.




The female Wilson's Phalarope shown here was a spring migrant in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in April, 2008. This shot was taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark III and EF 600mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender.
The female Wilson's Phalarope shown here and the male just below were photographed with a Canon EOS 1D Mark III and EF 600mm F/4 L IS lens and 1.4X extender in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in May, 2008.

The female shown here, also in Austin in May, 2008, was photographed as she spun circles on the water, a characteristic feeding behavior of this species.
Wilson's Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor Hornsby Bend, Austin, Travis Co., Texas 6 May 2013
Wilson's Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor Hornsby Bend, Austin, Travis Co., Texas 6 May 2013
Wilson's Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor Sandia Wetlands, Balmorhea, Reeves Co., Texas 26 May 2018
Wilson's Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor Sandia Wetlands, Balmorhea, Reeves Co., Texas 26 May 2018