Australasian Birds

Scolopacidae : Sandpipers

Red-necked Phalarope

Phalaropus lobatus

Fetlar, Shetland - June 2012

Red-necked Phalaropes are unusual shorebirds in many aspects. Most shorebirds are quite adverse to swimming and feed by wading in the water, Phalaropes, on the other hand, spend most of their time swimming, rapidly twisting and spinning as they feed on plankton and small insects that occur near the surface of the water.

Fetlar, Shetland - June 2012

To adapt to life on the water surface, Phalaropes have a thick layer of duck-like downy plumage that allows them to spend a large amount of time swimming without getting waterlogged.  Their feet also have lobed toes and webbing between the bases of the toes to help provide proficient propulsion through the water.

Fetlar, Shetland - June 2012

Fetlar, Shetland - June 2012

Fetlar, Shetland - June 2012

They are also unusual in having a polyandrous breeding system where it is the female who is the bright, dominant sex and the more dowdy males take on all of the incubation and chick-rearing duties.

Fetlar, Shetland - June 2012

Females defend a territory and will attempt to produce clutches for more than one male to the extent that they vigorously pursue and harass males. 

Fetlar, Shetland - June 2012

Quite often this results in several females fighting over the right to mate with a male, as can be seen in the series of photos shown here.  In this instance, the male was pursued and harassed by up to 5 females for over 15 minutes, quite often resulting in him being forced under the water by the weight of the females on top of him.

Fetlar, Shetland - June 2012

Fetlar, Shetland - June 2012

Fetlar, Shetland - June 2012

Fetlar, Shetland - June 2012

Fetlar, Shetland - June 2012

Fetlar, Shetland - June 2012