Wilson's Phalarope

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Habitat and behaviour

Habitat: Pools (very rare).
Diet: Aquatic invertebrates.
Best time to spot: Slim; needle bill.

When to look

A rare visitor, not a resident. There is no dependable season, though most rarities are found during spring and autumn migration. More on the season in Bird migration in Britain.

How rare is it?

The Wilson's Phalarope sits in our Epic tier for the UK: a scarce visitor, recorded in small numbers in most years. It is not on the Red or Amber lists in Birds of Conservation Concern 5.

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Red-necked PhalaropeRare · Shetland pools (summer)
• Grey PhalaropeRare · Pelagic (autumn passage)
• Broad-billed SandpiperEpic · Pools (very rare passage)
• Greater YellowlegsLegendary · Pools (very rare vagrant)
• Hudsonian GodwitLegendary · Coastal pools (very rare)
• Least SandpiperLegendary · Muddy pools (very rare)

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