Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2022-56
| Common name: |
Red Phalarope |
| Scientific name: | Phalaropus fulicarius |
| Date: | 10/9/2022 |
| Time: | 2:45pm |
| Length of time observed: | 10 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Adult |
| Sex: | ? |
| Location: | Rockport Reservoir |
| County: | Summit |
| Latilong: | 40.780079, -111.403976 |
| Elevation: | 6,000~ft |
| Distance to bird: | 300m |
| Optical equipment: | Kowa 88mm Spotting Scope |
| Weather: | Partly cloudy, breezy, 65F |
| Light Conditions: | Good |
| Description: Size of bird: | small shorebird |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | plump |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | gray and white |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Noticed a tiny lone bird far out on the water, once I
got the scope on it it became clear it was a Phalarope, had the black
mask behind the eye so not a Wilson's. Studied it in the scope for 10
minutes, bill was stout and short and back a clean pale gray with
minimal black streaking, overall very plump and short stout necked, all
of which favored Red over Red-necked. Had a white forehead, black crown
and nape, entirely white on the neck and underparts. In flight showed a
wing bar and gray rump. heavily cropped photos do seem to show some
yellow at the base of the lower mandible, but this was not observed in
the field and can be very minimal and easily overlooked in the field.
From my experience, any lone Phalarope seen late in the season should be
carefully scrutinized as its quite possibly a Red. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | None heard |
| Behavior: | swimming and flying on the open water 300m off shore |
| Habitat: | Open water of freshwater reservoir. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Red-necked Phalarope-very similar but have a longer, thinner bill. Also a
heavily streaked gray, white and black back and the gray is usually a darker
shade. Also slimmer overall with a longer thinner neck. Wilson's Phalarope-longer thinner bill, faint gray eyeline, longer slimmer neck and proportions |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Yes, my 9th Red in Utah + 20~ offshore on the ocean, hundreds of thousand of Red-necked and Wilson's Phalarope annually |
| References consulted: | Memory, Macaulay Library photos |
| Description from: |
Notes taken at the time of the sighting 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: | I was leading my Birds of Utah class field trip with 7 other observers |
| Date prepared: | 10/16/2022 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: | eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S120354487 |