northern phalarope

bird

Also known as: Lobipes lobatus, Phalaropus lobatus, red-necked phalarope(Show More)

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Last updated

July 23, 2026

Quick Summary

The northern phalarope (Lobipes lobatus) is a species of shorebird known for its unique reversal of sex roles. Females are larger and more brightly colored, initiating courtship and defending nesting territories, while males undertake all nesting duties and care for the young.1

These birds are small, typically 15 to 25 cm (6 to 10 inches) long, with slender necks and lobed toes adapted for swimming. In summer, they display red and gray plumage, transitioning to gray and white in winter. Northern phalaropes breed near the Arctic Circle and migrate to tropical oceans for the winter, where they are sometimes called sea snipe. They are often observed in large flocks far out at sea.12

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phalarope
…phalarope in Britain, and the northern phalarope (P. lobatus), called red-necked phalarope in Britain. Both species winter on tropical oceans, where they are known as sea snipe. Wilson’s phalarope (P. tricolor) breeds primarily in interior western North America and migrates chiefly to the Argentine pampas.
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…phalarope in Britain, and the northern phalarope (P. lobatus), called red-necked phalarope in Britain. Both species winter on tropical oceans, where they are known as sea snipe. Wilson’s phalarope (P. tricolor) breeds primarily in interior western North America and migrates chiefly to the Argentine pampas.
Read More