Gardening Actions:

Create a place for wildlife
Make your yard a refuge for migratory birds.

Stop migratory birds from hitting your windows
Thousands of birds die each year on their migrations when hitting residential and commercial windows.

Create a haven for hummingbirds
Attract these tiny and colorful migrating birds.

Safe birdfeeding tips
The best food for birds comes from native plants, but if you offer feeders, here are some important tips.

Purchasing Actions:

Join NWF and help migratory birds
Your tax-deductible donation supports NWF's work to protect migratory birds and other imperiled wildlife. We'll acknowledge your gift with a complimentary plush animal. Thank you.

Buy bird-friendly coffee
Many birds spend the winter in South America. Help protect their homes from coffee growers. Purchasing this coffee also supports NWF.

Migration Distance
3,000-6,500 miles

Migration Route and Stopover Sites
The red-necked phalarope is an arctic breeder that spends the summer months in Alaska and northern Canada. During the winter, it migrates to South America where it spends time off the coasts of Ecuador, Chile and Peru.

Bird Size
6-8 inches; a sparrow-sized swimming shorebird

Physical Adaptations for Migration
These small, delicate waders spend most of their time in water. Unlike other waders, red-necked phalaropes have lobed toes which enable them to swim strongly when out at sea.

Threats
Since they spend so much time in the water, they are especially vulnerable to oil spills and exposure to pollutants discarded into the oceans.

Interesting Facts
Females are larger and more brightly colored than the males. The females pursue the males, compete for nesting areas, and will aggressively defend their nests and mates. Once the female has laid her eggs, she begins her migration, leaving the males to incubate the eggs and feed the young.

They are unable to dive, but they have lobed feet which allows them to swim very well. They swim in tight circles which brings plankton to the surface of the water where they are able to grab it with their bills.

Send red-necked pharalope e-cards Invite your friend to come learn about this amazing bird.