About Phalaropus lobatus (Linnaeus, 1758)
The red-necked phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus (Linnaeus, 1758)) measures approximately 18 cm (7.1 in) in length. It has lobed toes and a straight, fine bill; the lobed toes help the bird when swimming. Breeding females are predominantly dark grey on their upperparts, with a chestnut-colored neck and upper breast, a black face, and a white throat. All individuals of this species have a white wing stripe, a feature that helps distinguish it from the similar Wilson's phalarope. Breeding males are a duller-colored version of breeding females. Young red-necked phalaropes are grey and brown on the upperparts, with buff underparts and a black patch that runs through the eye. In winter, the species' plumage is mostly grey on the upperparts and white on the underparts, but the black eyepatch is always present year-round. The call of the red-necked phalarope is sharp, and has been described as whit or twit.
