Red-necked Phalarope

Description:

A small wader with a fine straight bill. When feeding, a Red-necked Phalarope will often swim in a small, rapid circle, forming a small whirlpool. This behaviour is thought to aid feeding by raising food from the bottom of shallow water.

Habitat:

Breeds in the Arctic regions of North America and Eurasia. It is migratory, and, unusually for a wader, winters at sea on tropical oceans.

Notes:

This bird was part of a large flock (approx. 1000) of migrant phalaropes. It is in winter plumage.