Red Phalarope in St. Louis County
0000-00-00

'Casual' in Minnesota - Five or fewer records in St. Louis County for the Spring season

This bird was originally identified as a Red-necked Phalarope. No notes were taken while viewing the bird and note of the fact that this was a molting juvenile Red Phalarope was not made until review of both the photographs and various texts. As seen in submitted photos this bird contains a relatively hefty bill, with noticable pale on the base of the bill. As well, the pattern of molt on the back nicely matches the drawing in Nat. Geo. The feather replacement pattern is correct for Red Phalarope, not Red-necked. As well, a light buffy wash on the neck and throat is visible on the bird, which is not part of a winter or molting juvenile Red-necked plumage. Also of note is the pattern of the eye line, in the Red (and in this bird) the edges are poorly defined and form a more circular pattern around the eye, whereas in a Red-necked the pattern is crisp and sharply demarcated, creating a more lateral formation through the eye. Bird was seen spinning and swimming freely in the open water, approxiamtely 20 feet from the boat, with the sun behind me and light directly on the bird. The bird also called three times, making a light sharp singular "peep!"

Canon 10D with 100-400mm IS zoom
Jay Gilliam
Norwalk, IA