phalarope

[fal-uh-rohp]

noun

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

phalarope

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of phalarope¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of phalarope¹

C18: via French from New Latin Phalaropus, from Greek phalaris coot + pous foot

Example Sentences

In 2024, the first group of five Argentine students traveled to Lee Vining, where they and local students watched phalaropes along the shore, toured creeks and paddled canoes.

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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