American Avocet - Recurviostra americana

Length 1.4-1.6 ft (43.2-48.3 cm)
Wingspan 2.2-2.5 ft (68.6-76.2 cm)
Weight 10.7-16.3 oz (302-461 g)
Clutch Size 4
Chicks at birth Precocial
IUCN Conservation Status Least Concern
Continents:NA
     

The American Avocet is a North American bird which breeds in the mid-western U.S. and Canada and western U.S. They winter along the southern North American coast and Mexico. American Avocet males and females look similar, but the females are slight smaller and have a shorter and more curved bill. During breeding season their head, neck and breast are cinnamon colored.

American Avocets swish their long bill from side to side while walking, searching for aquatic invertebrates. The tip of their bill is sensitive to touch. They are fairly common in the S.F. Bay Area.

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