Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2022-62
| Common name: |
Red Phalarope |
| Scientific name: | Phalaropus fulicarius |
| Date: | 8/5/2022 |
| Time: | 5.35pm |
| Length of time observed: | 20 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Adult |
| Sex: | Unknown, in basic (mostly) plumage |
| Location: | Antelope Island Causeway |
| County: | Davis |
| Latilong: | 41.0865, -112.1965 |
| Elevation: | 4200 feet |
| Distance to bird: | 80-120 yards |
| Optical equipment: | Celestron Regal 100ED scope, Celestron Trailseeker 10x42 binoculars |
| Weather: | Sunny and warm (mid 80s) |
| Light Conditions: | Excellent |
| Description: Size of bird: | Small (about 8-9 inches) |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Elongated but quite stout body, longish neck |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | White/gray, red tinge to neck |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Straight, shortish, broad |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
We picked out this individual from nearby Wilson's and red-necked
phalaropes by its relatively large and wide-bodied appearance. Once we
had it in the scope we watched for quite some time, noting the white
underparts and neck with gray upperparts and faint rufous wash on the
front of the neck (so presumably still in partial molt from alternate
plumage, though definitely closer to basic). Scapulars plain-colored, no
streaking evident, and rump the same light gray color as the back.
Narrow black line up nape and on to crown, black smudge behind eye. Bill
dark, quite broad and slightly stubby. Always swimming so we had no view
of the legs, we also never saw the bird extend its wings so couldn't see
any white wing bar. We were only able to get a single usable digiscope
with a cellphone camera through the scope which accompanies this
submission (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | Silent |
| Behavior: |
Swimming and feeding in shallow water with other phalaropes (both Wilson's and
red-necked) |
| Habitat: | Lake edge, shallow water with emergent aquatic vegetat |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Wilson's and red-necked phalaropes. Eliminated Wilson's by black nape and crown and patch behind eye. Eliminated red-necked based on size, broader bill, plain unstreaked gray back, light rump, and though probably not definitive given that birds were likely all in the process of molting we did note that the black on the nape and crown on the red phalarope was noticeably narrower than that on nearby red-necked individuals |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Quite extensive phalarope experience in NV and along the CA coast, with all three species |
| References consulted: | iBird, eBird, Birds of the World, Shorebirds (Helm Guide) by Hayman, Marchant and Prater |
| Description from: |
Notes taken at the time of the sighting From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Paul Linton |
| Observer's address: | 4571 Village Green Pkwy, Reno, NV, 89519 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Alexander Linton |
| Date prepared: | 11/1/2022 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: | We were unaware that this is a review species for Utah, and were just asked to submit the record by the eBird reviewer Colby Neuman |