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The Red Phalarope breeds in tundra wetlands across the circumpolar Arctic and is widely distributed primarily in the High Arctic of northern Canada. It winters at sea off the Pacific coast of North and South America, and the west coast of Africa. Because it breeds and winters in remote and inaccessible areas, little is known of its population status. With such a large percentage of the global breeding population, Canada's responsibility for the Red Phalarope is very high. This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.
Like many surface feeding marine birds, Red Phalaropes frequently ingest plastic garbage and may suffer a variety of negative effects as a result (Tracy et al. 2002). High-density flocks are susceptible to oil spills during migration. The species is adversely affected by oil development on the breeding grounds in the United States, where increases in predator abundance reduce nest survival of phalaropes near development sites (Liebezeit et al. 2009). Mining development in northern Canada continues to increase, and the Mackenzie Delta may see significant oil development in the future. Red Phalaropes are also vulnerable to climate change, specifically increases in sea temperature which may cause preferred prey to move away from major upwelling zones (such as the outer Bay of Fundy) that bring these prey to the surface. Range-wide surveys on the breeding grounds currently underway will contribute to the understanding of population status in the future.
Environment and Climate Change Canada and partners have developed Bird Conservation Region Strategies in each of Canada’s Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs). In these strategies, selected species are identified as priorities for one or more of the following reasons:
Select any of the sub-regions below to view the BCR strategy for additional details.
