Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2018-50
| Common name: |
Red Phalarope |
| Scientific name: | Phalaropus fulicarius |
| Date: | 10-04-2018 |
| Time: | 10:15am |
| Length of time observed: | 5 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | adult-non-breeding plumage |
| Sex: | ? |
| Location: | Antelope Island Causeway |
| County: | Davis |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | 4200ft |
| Distance to bird: | 100m |
| Optical equipment: | 10x42 Binos, Kowa Spotting Scope, Canon SX60 Digital Camera |
| Weather: | Overcast, windy, 58F |
| Light Conditions: | Good |
| Description: Size of bird: | 8.5in |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Typical Phalarope |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | gray back, white underside |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | short,stout |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
First noticed a wading Phalarope on the mudflats with
Killdeer, immediately struck by how large it seemed,almost as big as the
Killdeer and much bigger than Least Sandpipers nearby. Overall very pale with a
smooth pale gray back without any streaking, some black on the lower outer edge
of the back. Also seemed very plump and thick necked. Bill was stout and thick
with a blunt tip, not coming to a fine point. Had a faint salmon wash to the
upper breast and neck. Also noted faint pinkish color to the legs and feet. Had
a black line behind the eye. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | None heard |
| Behavior: | Walking on mudflats with Killdeer and Peeps. Many Jets were flying over repeatedly spooking the birds, eventually flock flushed and unable to relocate Phalarope. |
| Habitat: | Saltwater mudflats of the Great Salt Lake, north side of the causeway |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Red-Necked Phalarope are very similar, but smaller and slimmer, with a longer
thinner bill that comes to a fine needle like point at the tip. Also the back
has some gray, black and white streaking. Wilson's Phalarope are larger, have longer thinner bill, lack black eyeline, and have yellow legs |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Yes, I've seen 2 in Utah before, many hundreds of thousands of Red-necked and Wilson's Phalarope. |
| References consulted: | Sibley, Audubon Birds app |
| Description from: | From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Bryant Olsen |
| Observer's address: | 84102 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Max Malmquist was with me |
| Date prepared: | 10-4-18 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: | eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S48930441 |