Pied avocet
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File:Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta) (W1CDR0001419 BD20).ogg
Bird recorded in Suffolk England
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R. avosetta
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| Recurvirostra avosetta |
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The pied avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta) is a large black and white wader in the avocet and stilt family, Recurvirostridae. They breed in temperate Europe and western and Central Asia. It is a migratory species and most winter in Africa or southern Asia. Some remain to winter in the mildest parts of their range, for example in southern Spain and southern England.
This species gets its English and scientific names from the Venetian name avosetta. It appeared first in Aldrovandi's Ornithologia (1603).[2] While the name may refer to black and white outfits once worn by European advocates or lawyers, the actual etymology is unknown.[2] Other common names include black-capped avocet, Eurasian avocet or just avocet.[3]
The pied avocet is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.
Description
The pied avocet is a striking white wader with bold black markings. Adults have white plumage except for a black cap and black patches in the wings and on the back. They have long, upturned bills and long, bluish legs. It is approximately 16.5–17.75 in (41.9–45.1 cm) in length of which the bill is approximately 2.95–3.35 in (7.5–8.5 cm) and the legs are approximately 3–4 in (7.6–10.2 cm). Its wing-span is approximately 30–31.5 in (76–80 cm).[4] Males and females look alike. The juvenile resembles the adult but with more greyish and sepia tones.
The call of the avocet is a far-carrying, liquid, melodious kluit kluit.[4]
Behaviour
These birds forage in shallow brackish water or on mud flats, often scything their bills from side to side in water (a feeding technique that is unique to the avocets[5]). They mainly eat crustaceans and insects.
Their breeding habitat is shallow lakes with brackish water and exposed bare mud. They nest on open ground, often in small groups, sometimes with other waders. 3–5 eggs are laid in a lined scrape or on a mound of vegetation.
In Britain
The pied avocet was extinct as a breeding species in Great Britain by 1840.[6] Its successful recolonisation at Minsmere, Suffolk, in 1947 led to its adoption as the logo of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.[4]
Gallery
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Saebelschnaebler (Recurvirostra avosetta).jpg
Adult feeding
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Recurvirostra avosetta-pjt2.jpg
Adult in flight
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Säbelschnäbler Küken 0506111.jpg
Avocet chick
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Recurvirostra avosetta MHNT.JPG
Avocet egg
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Avocet from the Crossley ID Guide Britain and Ireland.jpg
ID composite
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Pied Avocet.ogv
Video showing bird seeking food
References
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- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Recurvirostra avosetta on Avibase
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Recurvirostra avosetta. |
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Wikispecies has information related to: Recurvirostra avosetta |
- (Pied) avocet species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds
- Avocet images at ebepe.com
- Pied avocet videos, photos, and sounds at the Internet Bird Collection
- Avocet images at stevenround-birdphotography.com
- BirdLife species factsheet for Recurvirostra avosetta
- Pied avocet photo gallery at VIREO (Drexel University)
- Interactive range map of Recurvirostra avosetta at IUCN Red List maps
- Audio recordings of Pied avocet on Xeno-canto.
