Wilson's Phalarope
A species of Phalaropes Scientific name : Phalaropus tricolor Genus : Phalaropes
Wilson's Phalarope, A species of Phalaropes
Botanical name: Phalaropus tricolor
Genus: Phalaropes
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Description People often ask General Info
Photo By Bill Bouton , used under CC-BY-SA-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
Wilson's phalarope is slightly larger than the red phalarope at about 23 cm (9.1 in) in length. It is a dainty shorebird with lobed toes and a straight fine black bill. The breeding female is predominantly gray and brown above, with white underparts, a reddish neck and reddish flank patches. The breeding male is a duller version of the female, with a brown back, and the reddish patches reduced or absent. Measurements: Length: 8.7-9.4 in (22-24 cm) Weight: 1.3-3.9 oz (38-110 g) Wingspan: 15.3-16.9 in (39-43 cm) In a study of breeding phalaropes in the province of Saskatchewan, Canada, females were found to average around 10% larger in standard measurements and to weigh around 30% more than the males. Females weighed from 68 to 79 g (2.4 to 2.8 oz), whereas males average 51.8 g (1.83 oz). Young birds are grey and brown above, with whitish underparts and a dark patch through the eye. In winter, the plumage is essentially grey above and white below, but the dark eyepatch is always present. The average longevity in the wild is 10 years. 
Size
20-23 cm (8-9 in)
Life Expectancy
10 years
Nest Placement
Ground
Number of Broods
18 - 27 days
Feeding Habits
Wilson's Phalarope primarily consume small aquatic invertebrates, including midges and shrimp. They exhibit unique foraging behavior by spinning in circles to create whirlpools, bringing prey to the water's surface. Additionally, they chase and peck food from mud or water surfaces, and employ still-standing and stabbing methods for catching flies.
Habitat
Wilson's Phalarope predominantly thrives in wetlands, including shallow prairie lakes, fresh marshes, and mudflats. These birds prefer areas with ample aquatic vegetation during the breeding season, such as upland shrubby zones and roadside ditches. They adapt to different altitudes, spending migration periods at both saline and coastal marshes, along with man-made habitats like sewage ponds. Come winter, wilson's Phalarope inhabits high Andean salt lakes and South American wetlands, demonstrating their versatile tolerance to varying climate conditions.
Nest Behavior
Females select the nesting site and lay eggs in the prepared scrape. Males then refine the nest and provide concealment.
Nest Characteristics
Wilson's Phalarope's nest, typically located at the edge of a wetland or in nearby upland vegetation, is a simplistic scrape on the ground, camouflaged by the male arranging surrounding vegetation.
Dite type
Aquatic invertebrate eater
People often ask
General Info
Feeding Habits
Bird food type
Behavior
Wilson's Phalarope's general behavior is marked by active polyandry, where competitively aggressive females engage in multiple matings. Their days are spent performing distinctive courtship displays, laying eggs, and then often leaving the male with parental duties. Social creatures, they nest in proximity within small colonies and migrate in vast flocks. Habitually, wilson's Phalarope interact with a range of predators in their environment, from garter snakes to raccoons, necessitating vigilant behavior.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Shorebirds Family
Sandpipers Genus
Phalaropes Species
Wilson's Phalarope 
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