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American Avocet
Recurvirostra americana
At-a-Glance
• Mating: Monogamous; birds form a pair and work together to rear the young.
• Peak Breeding Activity: April-June
• Incubation: 22-29 days
• Clutch Size: 3-5 eggs
• Young Fledge: 28-35 days after hatching
• Typical Foods: aquatic insects and invertebrates, crustaceans, and aquatic vegetation |
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Description
This wader has long, light blue legs, a strongly upcurved black bill, and a bold black and white pattern on its back. In breeding plumage, there is a rusty cinnamon color along the head and neck.
Habitat and Habits
Avocets sometimes engage in communal feeding, advancing through the shallows in a line, perhaps to better flush small animal life from the bottom.They usually forage in shallow water of mudflats and marshes. Avocets give a rather shrill, yelping cry somewhat reminiscent of a lesser yellowlegs.
Reproduction and Care of the Young
Courtship displays of these birds involve various bowing postures and dancing with outspread wings. Breeding occurs in April and June. Nests are built on shore as scrapes in the ground. Both male and female care for the young. |
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