Below is Doug's assessment of the pictures from Jonathan.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Doug Ward" <ward@revettsilver.com
To: "'Shirley Sturts'" <s.sturts@verizon.net
Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2007 10:00 AM
Subject: RE: Phalarope picture


Shirley,

Sorry it took a few days to get back with you on Johathan's
phalarope, I've been traveling and just got my email. Anyway, my first
impression is that he had an adult Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicaria) in molt
from alternate to basic plumage up there at Cataldo - great bird! I'm going
to research a little more to confirm as it is interesting how photos taken so
close can actually be more difficult to identify than those further away,
particularly when structure is the primary key as is the case between the
Red and Red-necked (P. lobatus) Phalaropes.

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 Johnathan'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.

I hope this helps. As I said, I'm going to research a little
more on the plumages of Red-necked to rule out this possibility, but if I
had to vote today, I'm pretty sure he had a Red Phalarope. If you have any
questions, please let me know.

Good Birding,
Doug

---------------
NOTE: A follow-up email to Shirley contained the following note from Doug:

"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."
------------

-----Original Message-----
From: Shirley Sturts [mailto:s.sturts@verizon.net]
Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2007 3:24 PM
To: Ward, Doug
Subject: Fw: Phalarope picture

Ward,

Here are some phalarope pictures taken by Jonathan Brennecke.
They were taken near catalo.
He is not sure if they are Red or Red-necked Phalarope.
I am not sure either. The bill looks heavy and pale at the base
in the picture where the bird has a feather in its beak Which
leads me to think it may be a Red Phalarope.

I would appreciate your opinion on the ID of the bird.

Jonathan is 15 years old and very interested in birds and
birding. He goes many Chapter Field Trips.
He is getting some wonderful pictures that you can see on
Flicker. www.flickr.com/photos/brennecke


I'm not sure either.


Shirley Sturts
Coeur d'Alene, ID
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jonathan Brennecke" <ornitheologist@gmail.com
To: "Shirley Sturts" <s.sturts@verizon.net
Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2007 2:36 PM
Subject: Re: Phalarope picture