Girl Power: Role Reversal in Phalaropes
In most bird species, the females are duller in colour than the male. However,
female phalaropes are larger, and more brightly coloured than their male mates.
In fact, all of the usual gender differences are reversed. The females establish
and defend territories, and display to attract males who take full responsibility
for incubating and caring for the eggs. The successful females operate little
male harems!