Rare Bird Report #: 90-B-07

IDAHO BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
RARE BIRD REPORT FORM

SPECIES:

Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicaria)

HOW MANY:

1 bird, juvenile, "nonbreeding"/winter plumage

REPORTER:

Jonathan Brennecke
1009 E Hastings Ave.
Coeur d' Alene, ID 82814
Phone: (208) 765-6912

REPORTER EMAIL:

ornitheologist@gmail.com

OTHER OBSERVERS:

spotted by Jonathan Brennecke, also observed by my dad, Gary Brennecke.

DATE REPORT PREPARED:

Tuesday, 10/9/2007

DATE SIGHTING OCCURRED:

Saurday, 9/15/2007 first photo taken at 8:46:31 AM, last photo at 10:19:10 AM, 76 other photos taken in between

LOCALITY OF OBSERVATION:

The bird was seen by my dad and I as we were canoeing down the Coeur d'Alene river, about a 3/4ths of a mile from the Old Mission boat launch. (Cataldo, Kootenai County, ID)

The bird was on south the side of the river parellel to the Trail fo the Coeur d' Alenes bike trail (about 20 ft. from the south bank).

HABITAT:

on the side of the river (see above), mostly riparian area, with coniferous and decidous trees, tall grass along the bank where the bird was located

CONDITIONS:

We first saw the bird when canoeing east but after observing it for some 5-10 minutes continued canoeing down the river. On the return trip (half an hour later), we agin saw the same bird and I took more photos. The weather condition was general for that time of year, mostly sunny... All photos of the bird were taken with a Nikon D70s Digital Single Lens Reflex Camera (DSLR) with a Quantaray 70-300mm lens and UV filter. The camera settings (as recorded in EXIF data) were 3008 by 2000 pixels (6.1 megapixels), all at a focal length of 300mm. Exposure time was 1/400th of a second at F of 5.6. The photo metering was center weighted, with exposure bias(apex)of 5.0. Exposure program and ISO rating were not recorded in the images' EXIF, although ISO was likely 200 to 400 and ex. program was very likely at negative three (red enhanced). Tripod and flash were not used.

The distance to the bird (from the canoe) varied somewhat as both the canoe and bird were in motion. But the distance at which the closest photos were taken was about 10 feet.

DID YOU TAKE NOTES?:

No, not at all

DID YOU CONSULT FIELD GUIDE OR OTHER REFERENCES?:

Yes, later the same day

WHAT GUIDE(S) OR REFERENCE(S) DID YOU CONSULT?:

Field guide: Sibley Guide, David Allen Sibley

I used the Sibley Guide to narrrow it down to two species, Red and Red-necked Phalaropes, then emailed Kris Buchler (of the local Audubon) for further identification. She esxamined several of the phots to the impression that is was a Red Phalarope, however, not wanting to make the deciding call herself, she forwarded the email to Shirley Sturts (also of the local Audubon). Shirley determined the same, but also sent the photos on to Doug Ward, who I am not personally familiar with, but take to be a regional waterfowl and shorebird expert of sorts.

He also agreed that it was a Red Phalarope, and said, "The first indication is general structure of this bird - very "blocky and thick" where as Red-necked usually appears "dainty", particularly through the head and neck. The bill on Jonathan's bird also fits with a typical Red Phalarope as it is relatively heavy and straight, with a length less than that of the head. Red-necked is typically thin billed, slightly decurved at the tip, with a bill length equal to or longer than the head depending on the sex of the bird (females longer). The yellowish base to the lower mandible on the Cataldo bird also points towards Red.

As for plumage, the indistinct ear patch and crown markings are typical of a Red verses the Red-necked where these areas usually show a nice sharp delineation. For me however, the few fresh evenly marked pale grey mantle and covert feathers on this bird are key. Again, Red-necked, even adults in full basic, will show dark contrasts on the back as the mantle and covert feathers are dark grey with pale edges. The remaining alternate tertials indicate to me that this bird is probably an adult."

Stacy's note: In a follow-up email to Shirley, Doug Ward (Spokane Valley, WA; 509-921-2294; ward@revettminerals.com) issued the following correction, "After checking my references, I'm absolutely certain Jonathan had a Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicaria) up in Cataldo. I was wrong about the age, however, as after reading up, I'm pretty sure the bird was a juvenile rather than an adult based on its molt pattern."

DESCRIPTION:

Order Charadriiformes, Family Scolopacidae: Sandpipers, Phalaropes and allies. I had oportunity to see and photograph all areas of the body (in all of 76 photos)

BEHAVIOR:

The bird was in the process of molting (note feather in bill). It did not show any apparent fear of our canoe until we had evidently approacehd to close and it flew about 30ft. down the river. (note that when it flew it uttered a short single note) We followed the bird, and it proceeden in the smae manner, hugging close to the shorline, but otherwise engaging in normal behavior, feeding and nibling plants, and dabbling in the water. There were no other birds in the imediate area, besides chickadees and nuthatches in the trees above and on the other side of the river.

HOW AND WHEN DID YOU POSITIVELY IDENTIFY THE BIRD, AND WHAT CLINCHED THE IDENTIFICATION FOR YOU?

For me the ID was "clinched" when Mr. ward stated " I'm absolutely certain Jonathan had a Red Phalarope (P. fulicaria) up in Cataldo"

HOW DID YOU ELIMINATE SIMILAR SPECIES, AND WHAT WERE THEY?

The most similar species to the Red Phalarope is of course the Red-necked Phalarope (P. lobatus). I only really ruled out the distinction based upon the opinion and infrmation given by Shirley, Doug and Kris.

EXPERIENCE WITH THIS SPECIES (AND SIMILAR SPECIES):

I, myself, am not especially familiar with this or similar species, having seen neither this nor Red-necked before ( although, I have seen Wilson's Phalarope on several occasions). But Doug Ward's testimony to the identiication of this bird (see above) is undoubtedly based upon extensive experience.

GENERAL BIRDING EXPERIENCE:

I have been birding for about 3 years with the CdA Audubon club, with whom I regularly participate on a monthly basis. I also engage in general photography of birds on my own, or with my parents.

WERE PHOTO(S), VIDEO, AND/OR AUDIO OBTAINED BY YOU?:

Photos: by Jonathan Brennecke