Wilson’s Phalarope

Phalaropus tricolor

Wilson's Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of North America.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 20 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Victoria Birds of Alberta Birds of British Columbia Birds of Manitoba Birds of New Brunswick Birds of Newfoundland and Labrador Birds of Nova Scotia Birds of Northwest Territories Birds of Nunavut Birds of Ontario

By family

Sandpipers & Allies of Victoria Sandpipers & Allies of Alberta Sandpipers & Allies of British Columbia Sandpipers & Allies of Manitoba Sandpipers & Allies of New Brunswick Sandpipers & Allies of Newfoundland and Labrador Sandpipers & Allies of Nova Scotia Sandpipers & Allies of Northwest Territories Sandpipers & Allies of Nunavut Sandpipers & Allies of Ontario

See what's near you right now

The Wilson’s Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor) is a member of the Scolopacidae family found in North America. Adults weigh 59.4 g.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Charadriiformes
Family Scolopacidae Sandpipers, Snipes
Genus Phalaropus
Species tricolor

Where it lives

Temperate zone inland marshes of Nearctic: western, central Canada and northwest to west-central USA

North America

Quick facts

Weight: 59.4 g
Diet: Aquatic hunters
Family: Scolopacidae
Order: Charadriiformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Wilson’s Phalarope hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Behaviour

A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.

Migration

The Wilson’s Phalarope is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.

The Wilson’s Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor) belongs to the Scolopacidae family of the order Charadriiformes. Its range spans North America. Its distribution covers NA temperate zone inland marshes of Nearctic: w, c Canada and nw to wc USA.

It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 59.4 g, with a wing length of about 12.8 cm and a tail of around 5.9 cm.

Songs & calls

Wilson’s Phalarope — Call

Recorded by Skyler Bol Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Wilson’s Phalarope?

The Wilson’s Phalarope is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 59.4 g.

Where does the Wilson’s Phalarope live?

The Wilson’s Phalarope is found across North America with a range covering NA temperate zone inland marshes of Nearctic: w, c Canada and nw to wc USA, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Wilson’s Phalarope belong to?

The Wilson’s Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor) belongs to the Scolopacidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.

What does the Wilson’s Phalarope eat?

The Wilson’s Phalarope hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Does the Wilson’s Phalarope migrate?

The Wilson’s Phalarope is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.

What sound does the Wilson’s Phalarope make?

1 real field recording of the Wilson’s Phalarope — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.