Phalarope question

[Pat]

I'm at Deal Island WMA and in the first pool on the right there's a shorebird with a very fast, nonstop feeding behavior, sweeping its bill through the water all the while. It's a little smaller than a Black-necked Stilt. Is this likely the Red- necked Phalarope?

It's alone now but there was a stilt and a Glossy Ibis here a few minutes ago.

Pat Valdata

Crisfield, MD

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

[Jim Green]

Hi Pat. Yes that sounds like it. It is an adult female ( the females are more brightly colored than the males like kingfishers. 

Jim

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[Robert McLean]

Hi Pat,

Well, almost invariably phalaropes swim. Is the water deep enough for swimming? Also a Red-necked Phalarope has much shorter legs than a Black-necked Stilt.

Have you ruled out Stilt Sandpiper?

Regards,

Taylor McLean

Baltimore, MD

Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 4, 2026, at 5:33 PM, Jim Green <jkgbir...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Jim Green]

I guess I based it on swimming behavior. When I saw the phalarope was in shallow water and picking at surface. 

Ok look first at the bill. If it is about 2-3 inches long and straight and comes to a dull point. Look at the neck. Phalarope dark crimson/brown color. 

Bill on stilt sandpiper 4-5 inches and has a pronounced downward droop. Look at the underparts and stilt should have transverse barring and will have longer legs (and is approximate size of a lesser yellowlegs. 

Feeding behavior of sticks. It looks like it almost momentarily looks straight down before probing bill to feed. 

I suggest googling both birds for photos of each. 

[Pat]

The bill wasn't long enough for stilt sandpiper, and the water was so shallow the bird had to walk, although when it got to a slightly deeper spot it tried floating.

I had no scope with me so could see no color except a brownish back. All I have in the car are ancient binoculars. 

Pat

Pat Valdata

Crisfield, MD

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

[Jim Green]

I’m guessing you have the phalarope. I know Mikey LUTMERDING said it was still there yesterday. 

[Robert McLean]

Pat, 

There’s a June 3 photo of your probable bird on EBird. See 

CHECKLIST S352038789

And yes, that bird is a Red-necked Phalarope.

Very nice,

Taylor McLean

Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 4, 2026, at 6:14 PM, Jim Green <jkgbir...@gmail.com> wrote: