Small to medium-sized shorebird with thin body, thin neck, small head and thin needle-like bill. Alternate female: dark gray to black (auriculars) head and chin with white spot above eye and white throat, extensive reddish on sides and front of neck, gray back and wings with two broad buffy stripes on wings, gray breast and mottled gray flanks, and white belly. Alternate male: similar to female, but paler overall with a variable complete to near complete supercilium that is buffy chestnut behind the eye and white in front of the eye. Has smaller gray rather than black wedge through the auriculars. Basic Adult: black patch behind eye, white head and forehead with partial black cap on back of head and narrow dark stripe from cap down hind neck to back. Gray back and wings streaked with white. White neck and underparts with limited, pale grayish flanks. Juvenile: similar to adult non-breeding but more extensive black cap, bold buffy stripes and streaks on black back and wings. Hatch-year and basic plumaged birds may be confused with similar Red Phalarope. Note the heavier, plumper body, shorter legs, and shorter, thicker bill of the Red.

Length: 20 (cm) Wingspan: 38 (cm)

Voice:

High pitched, flat "kip."

Habitat:

Arctic tundra, offshore waters, inland bodies of water and mudflats.

Behavior:

While foraging on water, twirls quickly in tight circles, stirring up food. Often forms small flocks with other Red-necked Phalaropes.

Feeding:

Diet consists of insects, larvae and crustaceans, mollusks and on rare occasions, fish.