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American Avocet
Scientific Name:
Recurvirostra americana
Type:
Bird
Habitat:
Wetland and marine areas
Range:
The Rocky Mountains, in most states west of the Rocky Mountains, and along the southeastern seaboard of the US
Status:
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)
This species is
NATIVE
to the Truckee Meadows.
Identification:
American avocets are tall birds that have long, thin, stilt-like legs. Their beaks are also long, thin and upturned. These long beaks are used to rummage around in the mud and sand for small crustaceans but also used to grab insects out of the air. American avocets have black and white bodies with rust-colored feathers on their heads and necks.
Fast Facts:
American Avocets are ready and able to walk, to swim, and to dive after their first day as hatchlings. Soon after they are able to find and eat their own food.
American avocets are found in wetland areas where there is a steady presence of shallow water and mudflats. They are also found in marine intertidal areas, but breed in our area. They like to eat the insects and the small crustaceans found in the shallow waters of both fresh and salt water areas.
Here in the Truckee Meadows, American avocets have been seen regularly around the South Meadows area, including the Rosewood Nature Study Area.
Sources:
National Audubon Society, https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/american-avocet
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds, American Avocet, website 2021, https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Avocet
IUCN Red List, American Avocet, last assessed 2016, https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22693717/93418724
Image: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Headquarters, https://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq/5447887461, license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/, cropped from original.
Contributor(s):
Caron Tayloe (research & content)
Alex Shahbazi (edits & page design)