In spring 2024 the Center for Biological Diversity petitioned the Fish and Wildlife Service to protect Wilson’s phalaropes under the Endangered Species Act. These dainty shorebirds are best known for their spectacular congregations at large salt lakes in the U.S. West, like Great Salt Lake in Utah, which face imminent collapse due to climate change and other human-caused threats.

To catch brine flies, alkali flies, and brine shrimp, Wilson’s phalaropes like to swim in a tight, fast circle that forms a whirlpool, helping raise food from the bottom of shallow water. And in phalaropes, the typical bird sex roles are reversed: The larger, brighter-colored females pursue males, have multiple mates, and aggressively defend their nests, while males care for chicks.

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About the Center:

The Center for Biological Diversity is a 501c3 nonprofit headquartered in Tucson, Arizona. At the Center, we believe that the welfare of human beings is deeply linked to nature — to the existence in our world of a vast diversity of wild animals and plants. Because diversity has intrinsic value, and because its loss impoverishes society, we work to secure a future for all species, great and small, hovering on the brink of extinction. We do so through science, law and creative media, with a focus on protecting the lands, waters and climate that species need to survive.

We want those who come after us to inherit a world where the wild is still alive.

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