The Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus) is a small, delicate wader known for its unique feeding behavior, where it spins rapidly on the water’s surface to create whirlpools that bring prey within reach. During breeding, it has a striking plumage with a reddish neck, dark upperparts, and a contrasting white throat. In non-breeding plumage, it appears much paler, with gray upperparts and a white face. Unlike most shorebirds, Red-necked Phalaropes are highly pelagic outside the breeding season, spending much of their time at sea. They migrate through the UAE, often seen in coastal lagoons, salt pans, and offshore waters during their long journey between Arctic breeding grounds and wintering areas in the Indian Ocean.