Wilson's Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor) is a Special Concern species in Wisconsin. Both males and females have a long, straight, slender black bill. Males are typically smaller than females. During the breeding period, males have a white throat, chest, and nape, contrasted with a gray back, and black legs. Females have a more distinctive black stripe that originates from the face goes down the sides of the neck, and ends at the foreneck and upper chest, which is deep cinnamon. The upper body is gray, the underbody white. The core of this shorebirds range is in the western United States. In Wisconsin, it is found largely in the northwestern and eastern regions of the state. The species typically nests in open, shallow aquatic habitats like wetlands with a mix of ponds, sedge meadows, wet prairies, grassy marshes, and other low vegetation. Three to four silvery to pale buff eggs with black-brown spots are laid and incubated for 20-21 days. The species is threatened by the alteration and conversion of wetland habitats. The recommended avoidance period is May 10 - July 20.
