GAP Analysis Predicted Distribution Map

Wilson's Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor)

Species Code: PHTR

Legend:
= Core Habitat
= Marginal Habitat

Breeding Range Map
The green area shows the predicted habitats for breeding only. The habitats were identified using 1991 satellite imagery, Breeding Bird Atlas (BBA), other datasets and experts throughout the state, as part of the Washington Gap Analysis Project. Habitats used during non-breeding months and migratory rest-stops were not mapped.

Metadata (Data about data or how the map was made)

Click to enlarge distribution map

Other maps & Information:

Breeding Bird Atlas
NatureMapping observations
during breeding season
NatureMapping observations
throughout the year

This species is fairly common in freshwater wetlands and bodies throughout eastern Washington, but they are chiefly east of the Columbia and Okanogan Rivers. They are fairly common near the Potholes area and north through the Okanogan valley, and east in the major river valleys. Formerly they were breeding in western Washington.

Good habitat in the core areas of use included all freshwater bodies and wetlands locally in the Interior Douglas-fir zone, the Ponderosa Pine zone and steppe zones within its limits.

Wilson's Phalarope populations are somewhat mobile as marshes change from year to year. Many areas support Wilson's Phalaropes some years and not in others, e.g., at higher elevations in Kittitas County. In Yakima County, they are very local. In Kittitas County, phalaropes were seen during the breeding season immediately prior to the BBA period on May 26, 1985; but there were no BBA data from that county, and the birds may have been migrants. This species formerly nested in western Washington at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, but are apparently not breeding there. It has been noted that in southern Canada nests were usually located within 100 meters of a wetland, and Wilson's Phalaropes showed a preference for nesting in tall and dense vegetation.

Translated from the Washington Gap Analysis Bird Volume by Uchenna Bright
Text edited by Gussie Litwer
Webpage designed by Dave Lester