|
|
|
Useful Links |
Wilson's Phalarope | Steganopus tricolor
The Wilson's Phalarope is a Southern African bird that belongs to the Scolopacidae bird family group which includes birds such as Snipes, Godwits, Curlews, Whimbrels, Shanks, Stints, Sandpipers, Ruff, Turnstones, Phalaropes. The description for the Wilson's Phalarope (Latin name Steganopus tricolor) can be found in the 7th Edition of the Roberts Birds of Southern Africa. The Steganopus tricolor can be quickly identified by its unique Roberts identification number of 293 and the detailed description of this bird is on page 378. You will find a picture of the Wilson's Phalarope on page 368. NOTE: The reference for the information following is "Roberts Birds of Southern Africa", 7th Edition*. This edition contained a number of taxonomic changes as well as changes to English names used traditionally and in earlier editions of most bird books in South Africa. The following paragraph notes such changes if any. There have been no changes in the common name between the Roberts 6th and Roberts 7th Edition. The Latin name for this bird is Phalaropus tricolor in the Roberts 6th Edition. The Wilson's Phalarope has a height of 23 cms and weighs around 50 gms. The head is coloured grey, brown while the bill is coloured black. The Steganopus tricolor has a grey coloured throat, grey legs and a grey, brown coloured back. The eyes are brown. The male Steganopus tricolor has physical features that are slightly different from the female bird. Take note of the main distinguishing features such as colour, size and leg length relative to the body size. Colours of body parts can be helpful. Be aware what may appear brown to one person is described in Roberts using some other word ... for example brown, black. See colours used in Roberts. Head is grey, brown Eyes are brown Bill is black Legs are grey Throat is grey Back is grey, brown Feeding Habits ...This bird forages for food on the ground This bird has a specially adapted bill which helps it hunt for fish, crabs, shrimp and other aquatic animals in the water. This bird eats insects such as butterflies, bees, wasps, locusts and ants. These invertebrates are usually hawked aerially, killed and then eaten . Breeding, Habitat and Nesting Habits ...The Wilson's Phalarope is found in the Southern African wetlands, riverine forests and moist grasslands. The bird is at home in riverine forests and close to water bodies such as lakes, dams and streams You can see the Wilson's Phalarope bird on coastal regions and on the sea shore where the bird will be foraging with other birds Seen in Flocks, Singles or Pairs Normally ...The Wilson's Phalarope is mainly seen singly or in pairs in the wild. |
