UK Wildlife

Red-necked Phalarope Shetland Breeding

The red-necked phalarope is a tiny, beautiful wader that breeds in small numbers in Shetland, notable for reversed sex roles where females court males and males incubate eggs.

Key Facts

Female red-necked phalaropes are more brightly coloured and perform courtship display
UK breeding population only around 30 pairs, restricted to Shetland and Orkney
Winters on tropical oceans, spinning in circles to bring invertebrates to the surface
Once more widespread in UK, declined with wetland drainage in northern Scotland
Legal protection and habitat management have helped stabilise the small UK population

Welfare Considerations

Red-necked phalarope has extremely limited UK breeding habitat. Each pair needs shallow, productive pools with aquatic invertebrates. Loss of even a single breeding site could be significant for the population. Climate change may affect invertebrate availability.

What You Can Do

Support RSPB and SNH conservation work at Shetland red-necked phalarope sites
Visit phalarope sites only through organised access to minimise disturbance
Contribute to RSPB Shetland appeals that maintain key phalarope breeding habitat