Bird
American Avocet
Recurvirostra americanaThe American Avocet is a tall black-and-white shorebird with blue-gray legs and a long, slender bill curved upward. It sweeps that bill side to side through shallow water and gains a rusty head and neck during breeding season.
ShorebirdShallow-water ForagerUpcurved Bill
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyAquatic insects, Small crustaceans, Worms
Predators
- Gulls
- Coyotes
- Falcons
ThreatsWetland loss, changing water levels, pollution, nest disturbance, and extreme weather
HabitatsShallow saline lakes, marshes, mudflats, evaporation ponds, estuaries, and flooded fields
Life spanOften several years; banded birds have survived more than a decade
Classification
- OrderCharadriiformes
- FamilyRecurvirostridae
- GenusRecurvirostra
- SpeciesRecurvirostra americana
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Breeding birds defend nests vigorously, so retreat if they circle or call repeatedly.
Responsible observation
- Watch: Notice the rhythmic side-to-side bill sweep in shallow water.
- Identify: Look for very long blue-gray legs and an upcurved bill.
- Distance: Remain far from open-ground nests and downy young.
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.