About Phalaropus fulicarius (Linnaeus, 1758)
The red phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius) measures approximately 21 centimeters (8.3 inches) in length. It has lobed toes and a straight bill that is somewhat thicker than the bill of the red-necked phalarope. Breeding females are predominantly dark brown and black on their upperparts, with red underparts and white cheek patches; their bills are yellow with black tips. Breeding males are a duller, less vibrant version of breeding females. Juvenile red phalaropes are light grey and brown on the upperparts, with buff underparts and a dark patch running through the eye. In winter, the species has essentially grey upperparts and white underparts, but a black eyepatch is always present, and the bill becomes entirely black. The call of the red phalarope is a short beek.
