Recurvirostra americana

(Gmelin, 1789)

Vernacular names
English : American avocet
French : Avocette d’Amérique

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Charadriiformes
Family : Recurvirostridae
Notes : No subspecies known

Identification
Adults can grow to a size of 51 cm for a weight of 476 grams. Long thin grey legs with webbed feet. Plumage white, black wings with white shoulder bar. Breast, neck and head light beige, white lores. Long upward turned black bill.

Range and habitat
The species breeds in southern Canada and parts of western USA. It winters in coastal south USA and Mexico. Resident populations found in central Mexico. Lives in saline and alkaline lagoons, lakes and marshes with sparse vegetation.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is quite common and its populations have been increasing in recent years with the protection of the species’ breeding grounds.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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