This common circumpolar species spends the nonbreeding season of Peru, China and the Arabian peninsula. In grey non-breeding plumage it is distinguished from the Red Phalarope (Grey Phalarope) P. fulicaria by its longer, thinner bill and darker grey back and rump. In Africa, it is found in the Rift Valley lakes of East Africa; in southern Africa it is most common in Walvis Bay, where up to 56 birds have been recorded in January. There is one record from the Omatako Dam. Some birds over-winter in Namibia and up to nine birds have been recorded from Walvis Bay in July. There has been a steady increase in birds seen at Walvis Bay in recent times from an average of about ive (1991, 1992, 1995) to 56 (1999, 2000, 2001) and over 70 (2014) more recently.