A striking long-legged shorebird with a sharply upturned bill and bold black-and-white plumage. Breeding adults add a peach-colored neck and head. Famous for sweeping their bills through water like scythes to catch invertebrates.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The American avocet is a large wader in the avocet and stilt family, Recurvirostridae, found in North America. It spends much of its time foraging in shallow water or on mud flats, often sweeping its bill from side to side in water as it seeks crustacean and insect prey.
Source: Wikipedia — American avocet Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Striking long-legged shorebird with upturned bill and bold black-and-white plumage.
Similar species. Other oystercatcher and stilt species. Marbled Godwit (longer bill, no curving).
Voice. High-pitched insistent calls during territorial defense.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Aquatic invertebrates: shrimp, snails, larval insects.
Behavior. Sweeps recurved bill side-to-side through shallow water to catch invertebrates.
§ Range
Western US wetlands in summer; winters along southern US coasts
§ Habitat
Shallow alkaline lakes, salt ponds, mudflats, sewage lagoons
§ Threats
Loss of saline wetlands, water diversions in arid west, climate change.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the american avocet is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Support saline wetland protection (Great Salt Lake). Reduce water consumption. Oppose unnecessary diversions.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — American avocet
- www.allaboutbirds.org — authoritative profile of Recurvirostra americana
- IUCN Red List · taxon 22693575
- iNaturalist · taxon 4126
- eBird · ameavo
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Recurvirostra americana
§ Sources cited
- Cornell Lab — All About Birds
- National Audubon Society
- IUCN Red List 2018
