American Avocet

Recurvirostra americana

Order CHARADRIIFORMES - Family RECURVIROSTRIDAE

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1. Cool Facts
2. Description
3. Similar Species
4. Sound
5. Range
6. Habitat
7. Food
8. Behavior
9. Reproduction
10. Conservation Status
11. Other Names

With its elegant profile and striking coloration, the American Avocet is unique among North American birds. In summer it can be found in temporary and unpredictable wetlands across western North America where it swings its long upturned bill through the shallow water to catch small invertebrates.

Cool Facts

• In response to predators, the American Avocet sometimes issues a series of call notes that gradually changes pitch, simulating the Doppler effect and thus making its approach seem faster than it actually is.
• Nesting American Avocets aggressively attack predators, sometimes physically striking Northern Harriers or Common Ravens.

• A female American Avocet may lay one to four eggs in the nest of another female, who then incubates the eggs. American Avocets may parasitize other species' nests too; single American Avocet eggs have been found in the nests of Mew Gulls. Other species may also parasitize avocet nests. Avocets have incubated mixed clutches of their own eggs and those of Common Terns or Black-necked Stilts. The avocets reared the stilt hatchlings as if they were their own.

• American Avocet chicks leave the nest within 24 hours after hatching. Day-old avocets can walk, swim, and even dive to escape predators.

Description

• Size: 43-47 cm (17-19 in)
• Wingspan: 72 cm (28 in)
• Weight: 275-350 g (9.71-12.36 ounces)

• Large shorebird. Long legs.
• Long, upturned bill.
• Black-and-white upperparts.
• Rusty or gray neck and head.

• Wings black on outer half; white inner half crossed by black bar on upper surface.
• Underparts white.
• Legs grayish blue.
• Bill black.
• Eyes dark brown.

Sex Differences

Sexes similar, but female slightly smaller, with shorter and more curved bill.

Immature

Similar to adult, but head colored light buff.

Similar Species

• Black-necked Stilt has all black back, black face and back of neck, and red legs.
• Godwits less cleanly marked and with shorter legs.

Sound

Call a repeated, high-pitched "kleek."

»listen to songs of this species

Range

Summer Range

Breeds in the western Great Plains, from Saskatchewan and Alberta southward through Montana and the Dakotas to eastern New Mexico and the Texas Panhandle. Also breeds in isolated wetland areas in the arid western states, and along coast of California and Texas. A few breed on Atlantic Coast. Also breeds in central Mexico.

Winter Range

Winters in California and Mexico, and along coast from Texas to North Carolina.

Habitat

Shallow fresh and saltwater wetlands.

Food

Aquatic invertebrates.

Behavior

Foraging

Feeds in shallow water, while wading or swimming. Locates food by sight and snaps it up, or sweeps its long bill through the water, capturing prey by touch.

Displays

In territory establishment and in self-defense, performs elaborate ritualized displays. One notable display involves two pairs, or a pair and a third individual, facing each other in a circle and then stretching their bills toward each other. Upon the approach of a terrestrial predator, may approach the predator with a teetering gait and outstretched wings, as if on a tightrope. Also crouches on the ground as if incubating, only to move and crouch again in a new location.

Courtship

In its pre-copulation display, the male American Avocet preens himself with water, gradually gaining intensity to the point of frenzied splashing just before he mounts the female. After copulating, the pair intertwines their necks and runs forward.

Reproduction

Nest Type

A scrape in the ground, lined with grass or other vegetation, feathers, pebbles, or other small objects, or completely unlined.

Egg Description

Greenish brown with irregular dark spots. Pointed on one end.

Clutch Size

Usually 4 eggs. Range: 3-4.

Condition at Hatching

Downy and able to walk.

Conservation Status

Populations declined in the 1960s and 1970s, largely from the loss of wetlands from water diversion for human use. Contamination of wetland habitat with selenium caused increased developmental abnormalities and mortality. Since 1995, owners of selenium-contaminated sites in northern California have been required to provide safe wetland habitat for the species. Breeding success on the newly created sites has been much greater than initially expected, but long-term prospects for breeding at these sites are not clear.

Other Names

Avocette d'Amérique (French)
Avoceta Americana, Piqocurvo (Spanish)

Sources used to construct this page:

Robinson, J. A., L. W. Oring, J. P. Skorupa, and R. Boettcher. 1997. American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana). In The Birds of North America, No. (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA., No. 275 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, and the American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C.