The thick, dense feathering on its underparts allows this dainty shorebird to float high on the water. Its lobbed toes give it considerable maneuverability while swimming. It is equally at home on the roughest seas and the smallest farm pond. A highly sociable bird and extremely trusting. Smaller size and slender bill separate this species from the Wilson's and Red phalaropes.

Offshore it concentrates along tide rips and over upwellings. In shallow waters it stirs the bottom with its feet or spins rapidly to expose the tiny organisms that it picks up with its needlelike bill. An opportunistic forager of small animal life, insects and copepod crustaceans are its main source of food.

In Oregon, it is a common to abundant migrant along the coast and over the ocean with 21 miles of shore. There is a secondary flyway through central Oregon that brings large numbers to Lake Albert in Lake County and to other alkaline lakes. Over most of the state small groups of up to 10-12 birds are regularly seen. Small numbers occasionally remain to summer east of the Cascades.

Hear the call of the Red-necked phalarope

Photo by Mark Peck, Flickr