Red Phalarope

20-23 cm (8-9") Uncommon. Breeds on Tundra, otherwise open ocean; irregular at shore, rare inland after storms.

Robin-sized water bird with a distinctive spinning while swimming habit.

Summer: black crown, white cheeks, thick bill is yellow with dark tip, dark mottled upperparts, uniformly reddish brown underparts. Male is duller.

Winter: unstreaked gray above, white below, dark bill; suggests Sanderling but has a dark patch through eye.

Song: high "whit".