Home»Birds»Shorebirds •• hidden»Wilson's phalarope •• hidden

These photos of a male Wilson's phalarope were taken in early July at Weskeag Marsh, near Thomaston, Maine.  Unlike almost all other bird species, the female Wilson's is more colorful than the male.  But the male also has beautiful feathers and an elegant slender shape and posture.  At a length of about 9", the Wilson's is the largest of North American phalaropes, but still smaller than other area shorebirds such as willets, greater yellowlegs or killdeer.   The Wilson's is never found at sea but often in saltmarshes, mudflats or shallow pools.