American avocet
Quick Summary
The American avocet (Recurvirostra americana) is a large shorebird found in North America. It is characterized by its black and white striped back and wings, white underparts, and distinctive upturned bill. These birds inhabit shallow freshwater and saltwater marshes, using their bills to sweep through the water, often in unison, to catch small fish and crustaceans.12
During the breeding season, the American avocet's head and neck display a pinkish-brown hue, which transitions to white in the winter. They nest in colonies on the ground, and if flooding occurs, their nests can be built up.2
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
