American Avocet in nonbreeding plumage
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Description:
A large-bodied, pigeon-sized shorebird, the American Avocet has long, blue-gray
legs and a long, slender black bill which curves upwards. There are two distinct plumages.
Breeding adults have an orange head, neck and chest, with black and white wing and back
markings. During the nonbreeding season, the orange is replaced by gray. |
Both plumages may be seen in early spring flocks
- Similar Species:
Within the Great Plains, this species shouldn’t be confused with other
shorebirds. Occasionally, American Avocets are seen swimming or floating in deep water and
behaving in a fashion similar to Wilson’s Phalaropes.
- Comments: American
Avocets are found in wetlands throughout the Great Plains during the breeding season and
migration. Often seen in large flocks, they wade through high water scything their bills
back and forth to collect aquatic invertebrates. Males can be distinguished from females
by a comparatively straighter bill.
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