Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius), female, Lena Delta
The red phalarope breeds in the Arctic regions of North America and Eurasia. It is migratory and unusually for a wader, migrating mainly on oceanic routes and wintering at sea on tropical oceans. The phalaropes are observed to have a complete reversal of sex roles in colonies. The females sport the beautiful coloured plumage, fight for breeding ground and court males, while males guard the nest and lead the young south in the autumn after the females have departed. The Phalarope always breeds nearby fresh or brackish (somewhat salty) water.
Year: 2010
From album: Lena Delta Reserve expanded as part of the Sakha Republic's (Yakutia) "Gift to the Earth"
Photographer: Peter Prokosch