Pinto's Phalarope

Other names
Black-masked Phalarope

Description
It closely resembles the Red Phalarope, except it has a black mask and back. Its bill is black rather than yellow.

Females are brighter than males. Its bill is also thicker than the other phalaropes, like that of the red phalarope.

In winter plumage, it is pale grey above with an off-white breast and black auriculars.

Juveniles are like that of the winter plumage, but they have a black back and darker grey wings.

Similar species
In flight, it shows a bolder white stripe than the Red-necked Phalarope and dark central coverts, like that of the red phalarope.

Behaviour
In fall, adults and juveniles moult rapidly to their winter plumage.

Diet
When feeding, a phalarope will often swim in a small, rapid circle, forming a small whirlpool. This behavior is thought to aid feeding by raising food from the bottom of shallow water. The bird will reach into the center of the vortex with its bill, plucking small insects or crustaceans caught up therein.

It has been shown that phalaropes use the surface tension of water to capture food particles and get them to move up along the bill and into their mouths.

Calls
A high, sharp kit, often given in a series.

Reproduction
The sexual dimorphism and contribution to parenting are reversed in the phalarope species. Females are larger and more brightly colored than males. The females pursue males, compete for nesting territory, and will aggressively defend their nests and chosen mates. Once the females lay their eggs, they begin their southward migration, leaving the males to incubate the eggs and care for the young.

Distribution/habitat
It is found near lakes, saline lakes and far out into the ocean (pelagic).

Its distribution is southern Europa.

Based on...
It is based on the Red Phalarope, hence where most of the info comes from.