Looking for the legacy site? Click here

Wilson's Phalarope

Phalaropus tricolor


Sandpiper Like

Wilson's Phalarope thumbnail
Length: 9 in. (24 cm )

This shorebird is limited to muddy flats, marshy ponds, and wet meadows. It has a peculiar foraging behavior of spinning like a top on the water\'s surface or running in circles on muddy banks picking with its bill at the surface for aquatic insects and crustaceans. Unlike most other bird species, the female in breeding plumage is much more colorful than the male. Also the females fight for males and have more than one mate. The nest is a small platform of grass hidden in low marshy areas. Most of the population winters in the Andes of South America and the lowlands or Argentina.

The four-digit banding code is WIPH.


You may need to edit author's name to meet the style formats, which are in most cases "Last name, First name."
https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/wilsons-phalarope

Bibliographic details:

  • Article: Wilson's Phalarope
  • Author(s): Dr. Biology
  • Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
  • Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
  • Date published: 13 Jul, 2017
  • Date accessed:
  • Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/wilsons-phalarope

APA Style

Dr. Biology. (Thu, 07/13/2017 - 15:38). Wilson's Phalarope. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/wilsons-phalarope

American Psychological Association. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/

Chicago Manual of Style

Dr. Biology. "Wilson's Phalarope". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 Jul 2017. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/wilsons-phalarope

MLA 2017 Style

Dr. Biology. "Wilson's Phalarope". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 Jul 2017. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/wilsons-phalarope

Modern Language Association, 7th Ed. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/
How much water are we using per year in the Phoenix area?

Be Part of
Ask A Biologist

By volunteering, or simply sending us feedback on the site. Scientists, teachers, writers, illustrators, and translators are all important to the program. If you are interested in helping with the website we have a Volunteers page to get the process started.

Donate icon  Contribute

Share this page