Red-necked Phalarope
Phalaropus lobatus (Linnaeus, 1758)
NK
RENPH
5640
Family: Charadriiformes > Scolopacidae
Red-necked Phalarope is a beautiful tiny wader and one that, as a breeding species, has a preference for waterbodies with plenty of emergent vegetation.
The species is a migrant, returning to Scotland in spring from wintering quarters at sea. Remarkably, tracking studies have revealed that Scottish individuals can winter as far away as the eastern Pacific. With a breeding population of just a couple of dozen pairs, this is not a species easily encountered by the casual observer.
Phalaropes have reversed gender responsibilities with the duller-plumaged male looking after the nest and chicks. Females have a striking scarlet neck patch, set-off by a slate grey head and bright white throat. These birds have an unusual feeding action, in which they spin around on shallow waters, creating a vortex that brings invertebrate prey to the surface.
Select a topic for more facts and statistics about the Red-necked Phalarope
6.5k records
BTO RECORDS
Identification
Red-necked Phalarope identification is often straightforward.
SONGS AND CALLS
Listen to example recordings of the main vocalisations of Red-necked Phalarope, provided by xeno-canto contributors.
Flight call
Call
Develop your bird ID skills with our training courses
Our interactive online courses are a great way to develop your bird identification skills, whether you're new to the hobby or a competent birder looking to hone your abilities.
Browse training coursesStatus and Trends
Population size and trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO surveys and atlases with data collected by BTO volunteers.
CONSERVATION STATUS
This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.
| UK Birds of Conservation Concern | Red listed |
| Species of European Conservation Concern | Least Concern |
| IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global) |
Least Concern 
|
| Schedule 1 license required (to disturb) | Yes |
| Birds Directive Annex 1 | Yes |
|
Listed on the Annexes of
|
WCA(I), WBD(I), Bern(III), Bonn(II), AEWA |
POPULATION SIZE
| UK (breeding) | 64 Males (2013–17) |
| BOU Category | A |
|
First Record
|
1676 |
POPULATION CHANGE
In the UK, Red-necked Phalarope is restricted to Scotland and the population fluctuated between 1968–72 and 2008–11 from around 15 to 30 breeding pairs (Balmer et al. 2013). However, there has been a strong increase in the population over the 25 years to 2019, with a five-year mean of 78 breeding pairs over the period 2015–2019.
DISTRIBUTION
Red-necked Phalaropes are very rare breeders in Scotland and Ireland. The main UK stronghold is Shetland; birds were also present on the Outer Hebrides, Inner Hebrides and in northeast Scotland.
-
Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore. -
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Occupied 10-km squares in UK
| No. occupied in breeding season | 14 |
| % occupied in breeding season | 0.5 |
| No. occupied in winter | 5 |
| % occupied in winter | 0.2 |
European Distribution Map
DISTRIBUTION CHANGE
Red-necked Phalarope range and numbers have fluctuated over the course of the breeding atlases.
-
Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution Change 1968–72 to 2008–11.
More from the Atlas Mapstore. -
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution Change 1981–84 to 2007–11
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
| % change in range in breeding season (1968–72 to 2008–11) | -22.2% |
SEASONALITY
Red-necked Phalaropes are late-spring migrants and a rare breeding species, with autumn passage of juveniles from September onwards.
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
RINGING RECOVERIES
View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report.
Biology
Lifecycle and body size information about Red-necked Phalarope, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
PRODUCTIVITY & NESTING
|
Number of Broods
|
1 |
|
Egg Size
|
30×21 mm Weight = 6.3 g (of which 5% is shell) |
SURVIVAL & LONGEVITY
View number ringed each year in the Online Ringing Report
|
Maximum Age from Ringing
|
12 years 10 months 20 days (set in 2009)
|
CODES & CLASSIFICATION
|
Ring size
|
B2 |
|
Field Codes
|
2-letter: NK | 5-letter code: RENPH | Euring: 5640 |
For information in another language (where available) click on a linked name
Gaelic: Deargan-allt
Welsh: Llydandroed Gyddfgoch
Catalan: escuraflascons becfí
Czech: lyskonoh úzkozobý
Danish: Odinshane
Dutch: Grauwe Franjepoot
Estonian: veetallaja
Finnish: vesipääsky
French: Phalarope à bec étroit
German: Odinshühnchen
Hungarian: vékonycsoru víztaposó
Icelandic: Óðinshani
Irish: Falaróp Gobchaol
Italian: Falaropo beccosottile
Latvian: šaurknabja puslitis
Lithuanian: apvaliasnapis plaukikas
Norwegian: Svømmesnipe
Polish: platkonóg szydlodzioby
Portuguese: falaropo-de-bico-fino
Slovak: lyskonoh úzkozobý
Slovenian: ozkokljuni liskonožec
Spanish: Falaropo picofino
Swedish: smalnäbbad simsnäppa
Research
Interpretation and scientific publications about Red-necked Phalarope from BTO scientists.
CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS
Causes of change
Recent tracking studies have confirmed that the UK population is linked to the Icelandic population as both populations migrate to winter in the Pacific (Smith et al. 2014, 2018). The Icelandic population is also increasing but the drivers of these increases are not known.
Information about conservation actions
See Atlas account
Links to more studies from ConservationEvidence.com
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