Skip to main content

Get Involved
Get eNews
Donate
Donate

Birds
Live Cams
Courses
Merlin Bird ID

Donate
Donate

Wilson's Phalarope Sounds

Overview
ID info
Life History
Maps
Sounds

Calls
0:00
Media Player Error
Update your browser or Flash plugin
Colorado, June 28, 2012Recorded by Andrew Spencer / Macaulay Library
Calls
0:00
Media Player Error
Update your browser or Flash plugin
California, June 10, 1990Recorded by Kevin J. Colver / Macaulay Library
Calls
0:00
Media Player Error
Update your browser or Flash plugin
California, June 08, 1993Recorded by Rob Faucett / Macaulay Library
Song
0:00
Media Player Error
Update your browser or Flash plugin
California, June 08, 1993Recorded by Rob Faucett / Macaulay Library
Song
0:00
Media Player Error
Update your browser or Flash plugin
Saskatchewan, May 18, 1961Recorded by William W. H. Gunn / Macaulay Library

Sounds provided by Macaulay Library.
Listen to more sounds of this species from the ML archive.

Calls

Both sexes make a short, nasal call both during courtship and as a way of staying in contact. Females make a series of low, hollow notes for communication over longer distances. At close range they can also make a quiet purring or a low, somewhat froglike call. Birds at migration roosts make soft gurgling calls.

Compare with Similar Species

Click on an image to compare

Compare the Lesser Yellowlegs Breeding adult to the Wilson's Phalarope

Lesser Yellowlegs

Compare the Lesser Yellowlegs Nonbreeding adult to the Wilson's Phalarope

Lesser Yellowlegs

Compare the Red Phalarope Juvenile to the Wilson's Phalarope

Compare the Red-necked Phalarope Nonbreeding  to the Wilson's Phalarope

Red-necked Phalarope

Looking for ID Help?

Our free app offers quick ID help with global coverage.

Try Merlin Bird ID

Species in This Family

Sandpipers and Allies(Order: Charadriiformes, Family: Scolopacidae)

Upland Sandpiper

Bristle-thighed Curlew

Long-billed Curlew

Bar-tailed Godwit

Hudsonian Godwit

Short-billed Dowitcher

Long-billed Dowitcher

American Woodcock

Wilson's Phalarope

Red-necked Phalarope

Spotted Sandpiper

Solitary Sandpiper

Wandering Tattler

Lesser Yellowlegs

Greater Yellowlegs

Ruddy Turnstone

Black Turnstone

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper

Curlew Sandpiper

Stilt Sandpiper

Buff-breasted Sandpiper

Purple Sandpiper

Baird's Sandpiper

White-rumped Sandpiper

Least Sandpiper

Pectoral Sandpiper

Western Sandpiper

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Browse Species in This Family

More to Read

Are Cardinals Redder in Winter?
Can a Hawk or Owl Pose a Threat to a Small Dog or Cat?
Living Bird MagazineAnalysis: The Economic Value of Birds
A hawk has started hunting the feeder birds in my yard. What can I do?
Project FeederWatchCommon Feeder Birds: Quick Info on Food Preferences
How to Recognize Duck Courtship Displays

About Us
Citizen Science
Lifelong Learning
Publications
Explore More
Support Our Cause

Contact Us
Web Accessibility Assistance
Privacy Policy
Terms of use
Site Credits

Follow us

© 2025 Cornell University

Search for species name or keywords

Or Browse Bird Guide by Family or Shape

Need Bird ID Help? Try Merlin

Don't miss a thing! Join our email list

The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds,
birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation.

Email Address*