The red phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius) is a small shorebird that breeds in the Arctic regions and migrates south to spend winters at sea. Red phalaropes have a distinctive appearance and behavior that sets them apart from other phalarope species. In this article, we will explore where red phalaropes live throughout their annual cycle of breeding, migration, and wintering.
Breeding Range
Red phalaropes breed in the high Arctic regions of North America and Eurasia. Their nesting range extends from Alaska across northern Canada and Greenland. In Europe and Asia, they breed from Scandinavia across Russia to Siberia and Kamchatka.
Some key facts about the red phalarope’s breeding range:
- They nest on Arctic tundra near shallow freshwater ponds and marshes.
- Breeding habitat includes lowland wet tundra and coastal regions near the Arctic Ocean.
- Nesting areas are located at high latitudes between 60°N and 75°N.
- In North America, they breed from the North Slope of Alaska to Melville Island in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.
- In Eurasia, their breeding range extends from Norway across Russia including Wrangel Island, coastal Chukotka, and northern Kamchatka.
During the short Arctic summer, red phalaropes establish breeding territories on the tundra. The females build simple grass nests on the ground near water. They lay clutches of 4 eggs that are incubated by the males. The chicks hatch in early July and feed on insects until they can fly in August. By late summer, red phalaropes depart the Arctic to begin their long migration.
Migration
One of the most fascinating aspects of the red phalarope’s life history is their extensive migration between the Arctic and oceans. After breeding, they migrate south along ocean coastlines to reach their wintering areas. Some key aspects of their migration:
- They undertake one of the longest migrations of any shorebird, up to 9,000 miles round trip.
- Migrations generally follow ocean coastlines and offshore routes.
- They migrate south along the Pacific Coast from Alaska to Mexico.
- On the Atlantic side, they follow coasts from Canada to South America.
- Some birds cross entirely across the Atlantic via Iceland and West Africa to reach South Atlantic waters.
- Their migrations take them across a huge span of latitudes from the high Arctic to Antarctic waters.
Red phalaropes exhibit a loop migration, traveling down the Pacific Coast in the fall and returning north up the Atlantic side each spring. Their migrations are timed to reach wintering areas when ocean productivity is highest.
Wintering Range
Once they reach their wintering grounds, red phalaropes spend the boreal winter feeding at sea. Their winter range centers on productive marine regions:
- They disperse widely across the North and South Atlantic Oceans.
- High densities occur off the west coasts of North and South America.
- They are common in the California Current, Humboldt Current, and Benguela Current.
- Some birds reach Antarctic waters off South Georgia, the Falklands, and southern Chile.
- In the Pacific, they winter from Alaska to Peru, favoring upwelling zones.
- Highest winter concentrations are found from central California to central Mexico.
At sea, red phalaropes feed on small fish, crustaceans, and other prey at the water’s surface. Their winter range corresponds to regions of cold, upwelling ocean currents that bring nutrients and food to the surface.
Geographic Range
To summarize the full geographic range of the red phalarope:
- Breeding range – Circumpolar Arctic regions from 60°N to 75°N latitude.
- Migration – Along ocean coastlines between Arctic and subantarctic waters.
- Wintering range – Pelagic habitats across North and South Atlantic, North and South Pacific.
- Range spans from 75°N latitude in Arctic to 65°S latitude in Antarctic region.
This broad range means red phalaropes occupy one of the largest geographic ranges of any single shorebird species. They migrate extraordinary distances across their annual cycle encompassing polar, temperate, and tropical regions.
Habitat Preferences
The habitats red phalaropes occupy can be summarized as follows:
Breeding
- Tundra wetlands, ponds, marshes
- Coastal lowlands near Arctic Ocean
Migration
- Nearshore and pelagic ocean waters
- Coastlines and offshore
Wintering
- Pelagic temperate and subtropical oceans
- Upwelling zones and current boundaries
- Areas of high marine productivity
Population Estimates
Global population estimates for the red phalarope indicate around 2.5 million individual birds. Their numbers break down as follows:
- Alaska: 500,000
- Canada: 500,000
- Greenland: 250,000
- Russia: 750,000
- Svalbard: 50,000
- Scandinavia: 100,000
- Iceland: 350,000
These population figures are based on surveys of breeding birds across their Arctic nesting range. The red phalarope has a relatively small and localized breeding area, but is abundant across this core habitat. Their global population appears stable currently and the species is not considered threatened.
Threats and Conservation
Red phalaropes currently face few major threats to their population levels or breeding habitat:
- Climate change may reduce tundra breeding grounds over the long term.
- Expanded Arctic development could impact local nesting areas.
- Fisheries bycatch affects some wintering birds.
- Oil spills pose a contamination risk at sea.
However, across most of their range, red phalaropes inhabit remote Arctic and pelagic areas with minimal human impact. They are not endangered and have a global population estimated at 2-3 million adults. Maintaining protection of Arctic ecosystems will be important for their continued success as a species.
Conclusion
In summary, red phalaropes are high Arctic-breeding shorebirds that migrate enormous distances to spend the boreal winter feeding at sea. Their geographic range spans from the Arctic to Antarctic encompassing an incredible diversity of marine ecosystems. Red phalaropes have adapted to make the most of productive polar and pelagic habitats across the seasons. Maintaining the health of these habitats will ensure the continued survival of these far-flying Arctic shorebirds into the future. Their epic migrations and polar way of life will continue to fascinate ornithologists and bird enthusiasts alike.