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American Avocet

Recurvirostra americana

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40.6369, -106.273

Field Notes

Description:

This wading bird has long, slender bluish-gray legs and striking black and white plumage. The head and neck are brownish for much of the year, but gray in winter. The black bill is long and upturned. While they spend much of their time wading, they will also readily swim in deeper water, as this one is doing.

Habitat:

Shallow lakes, wetlands, saltwater marshes and mudflats.

Reference Links:

American Avocet

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (12)
Gordon Dietzman
I don't see many avocets in this part of the Midwest, but I've had great experiences watching these beautiful birds. I was once nearly surrounded by a huge flock of several thousand wintering avocets along the Gulf Coast; so memorable. Ashish--these birds lean over slightly and sweep the tip of the bill flat over and through the water to catch prey. Everyone--thanks so much for your kind comments.
MitchRay
Outstanding shot Gordon. My life list desperately needs one of these.
Aahangar
quit different bill; nit is the first time i see this kind of bill.
LauraMaria
Yup, that's the one over here :) It's the symbol of the RSPB, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, because they were near enough extinct in England before the 1940s but came back after some land was turned back into a salt marsh!
LauraMaria
That's very interesting Gordon, there are avocets in England, but they are completely black and white! This is a very lovely picture, the still blue water with the beautiful avocet is perfect :)
Ashish
Looks like a relative of India's (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-wattled_Lapwing) Red-wattled Lapwing a small swamp based bird.
Ashish
How they manage such long bill..!! How they used and for which feeding habitat..

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Birds of the World
Photographed
PublishedMay 22, 2011

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