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phalarope

American  
[fal-uh-rohp] / ˈfæl əˌroʊp /

noun

  1. any of three species of small, aquatic birds of the family Phalaropodidae, resembling sandpipers but having lobate toes.


phalarope British  
/ ˈfæləˌrəʊp /

noun

  1. any aquatic shore bird of the family Phalaropidae, such as Phalaropus fulicarius ( grey phalarope ), of northern oceans and lakes, having a long slender bill and lobed toes: order Charadriiformes

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of phalarope

1770–80; < French < New Latin Phalaropus genus name < Greek phalār ( ís ) coot + -o- -o- + -pous -footed; -pod

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In the last several years, he and other scientists have been tracking the phalaropes across the hemisphere.

From Los Angeles Times

These flies and brine shrimp are essential food for migratory birds including eared grebes, Wilson’s phalaropes and California gulls.

From Los Angeles Times

With him was Geoffrey McQuilkin, the Mono Lake Committee’s executive director, who held binoculars as he pointed out ospreys, American avocets, Wilson’s phalaropes and other birds.

From Los Angeles Times

Mono Lake provides habitat for imperiled shorebirds such as Wilson’s phalaropes, which stop at saline lakes during their long migrations, feeding on brine flies and other invertebrates.

From Los Angeles Times

In turn, birds like the Wilson’s phalarope — a shorebird that breeds in North America and winters near the Andes mountains — will struggle to find enough nutrients.

From Seattle Times