Red-necked Phalarope spotted for the first time in Thrissur’s offshore waters

The Red-necked Phalarope (locally known as Pamparakkada) has been recorded for the first time in Thrissur’s offshore waters during the 2025 Pelagic Bird Survey conducted jointly by the Kerala Forest department’s Social Forestry Division and the Kole Birders Collective.

The survey, carried out on November 30, covered a 41-nautical-mile deep-sea route off the Chavakkad coast. A 25-member team spent over 10 hours in the Arabian Sea and documented 37 bird species, including 11 pelagic species. The expedition was led by birdwatchers Sreekumar K. Govindankutty, Subin K.S., Latheesh R. Nath, Manoj Karingamuttom and others.

A rare sighting at sea

The calm voyage turned extraordinary when the team spotted the Red-necked Phalarope for the first time. For most members, it was a first-in-lifetime sighting. Initially, one bird was identified; soon after, groups of seven and five appeared—bringing the total sighted to 13.

Red-necked Phalaropes are remarkable long-distance migrants capable of flying nearly 6,000 km without stopping. They can remain on water for days, spinning like a tiny whirlpool — ’pambaram’ — to stir up small fish and micro-organisms from the surface. The name Pamparakkada is derived from this spinning behaviour. The species breeds in Arctic, North American and Eurasian regions and spend winters in tropical oceans, occasionally straying into Kerala’s offshore waters.

According to the eBird database, this is the 449th bird species recorded from Thrissur district. Earlier this year, the species was also reported from inland wetlands in Palakkad and Kottayam.

Other pelagic species recorded

The survey team also documented Arctic Skua (Mulvalan Skua), Pomarine Skua (Karandivalan), Pallas’s Gull and Heuglin’s Gull, Lesser Crested Tern and Greater Crested Tern.

The survey was led by Thrissur Social Forestry Division assistant conservator of forests K. Manoj, range forest officer Viji P. Varghese and range section forest officer Pramod A.D.

The expedition received support from the Thrissur Fisheries deputy director, Chavakkad Coastal Police, Munakkakadavu Harbour boat crew and birdwatchers of the Kole Birders Collective.