Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius), Willcox Lakes, Cochise County
Unusual among rarities, the Red Phalarope has occurred in virtually every month of the year in Arizona. Most records of this casual transient are of fall birds in basic plumage, so this individual molting into alternate plumage was an especially good find for Keith Kamper on 23 April 2006 at Willcox. The diagnostic thick, two-tone bill is apparent in the photo. Thanks to Dick Carlson for documenting it with this photo on 24 April.
24 April 2006 photo by Richard Carlson