Editing Phalarope (section)

===Sexual dimorphism and reproduction===
In the three phalarope species, [[sexual dimorphism]] and contributions to parenting are reversed from what is normally seen in birds. Females are larger and more brightly colored than males. The females pursue and fight over males, then defend them from other females until the male begins incubation of the clutch.  Males perform all incubation and chick care, while the female attempts to find another male to mate with.  If a male loses his eggs to predation, he often rejoins his original mate or a new female, which then lays another clutch. When the season is too late to start new nests, females begin their southward [[bird migration|migration]], leaving the males to incubate the eggs and care for the young. Phalaropes are uncommon among birds and vertebrates in general in that they engage in polyandry, with one female taking multiple male mates, while males mate with only one female. Specifically, phalaropes engage in serial polyandry, wherein females pair with multiple males at different times in the breeding season.<ref>Neuroscience, Bear, Connors, Paradiso; Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins</ref>