General
Avocet: Large shorebird with very thin, upturned bill. Mostly white with black patches in wings, on head, and on the nape. Bill black, legs gray. Legs project beyond tail during strong, swift flight. Sexes very similar but female has light grey eye ring. Juvenile is plumaged like adult but with some brown markings in the wings.
Range and Habitat
Avocet: Breeds across much of Europe and Central Asia. Occurs as both a migrant and a resident breeder in England. Found breeding along the east coast in summer; migrants head for the southwest coastline in winter. Can be seen wading in mudflats, lagoons, sandy beaches and estuaries. Some birds winter in Africa.
Breeding and Nesting
Avocet: Nests constructed on exposed mud or sand of shoreline, scraped onto open ground, often lined with vegetation. They are situated in small groups, sometimes with other waders. The nest is added to during incubation, especially if water rises. Hatchlings may leave the nest within a few hours.
Foraging and Feeding
Avocet: Feeds on aquatic insects and larvae, crustaceans and worms. Invertebrates, especially insects, crustaceans, and worms. In muddy water, they forage by touch with their long bills. Sometimes form feeding flocks of several hundred.
Vocalisation
Avocet: Song is a loud, repeated "wheep."
Similar Species
Avocet: The Black-winged Stilt has red or pink legs, all-black wings, and lacks the upcurve on the bill which is distinctive of the Avocet.