RED-NECKED PHALAROPE
Phalaropus lobatus
Family Phalaropodidae

Bird # 335 - September 2011

This is an uncommon migrant. It measures 7 1/4" long. It is a pelagic bird, usually found swimming and feeding on the surface of the water. According to the Kennedy guide it can also be found in freshwater wetlands and along the coast. It looks very similar to the Red Phalarope Phalaropus fulicaria which is rare and has a thicker bill. The Red-necked Phalarope's bill is described as "needle-thin". The red neck can be seen only when the bird is in breeding plumage.

We visited this stretch of wetland to look for the Red-necked Phalarope after Arne Jensen reported seeing it there. When we got there, the birds were very far away. It took a long time to find the bird among the Black-winged Stilts and other birds in the area.

We got to see much closer in IRRI on September 2013. It is a fast moving bird and would transfer position often.

In February 2014, we saw a flock of at least 35 birds in Davao.