Avocets

AVOCETS
Bird - Vertebrate - Carnivore

PIED AVOCET

AVOCETS

Can weigh 11 to 15 ounces and reach between 16 to 18 inches in length.
Wingspan is between 30 and 32 inches.
The most distinctive feature on the body of an Avocet is its long, upward curled beak.
Males have slightly longer beaks than females.
Unusual beak is specific adaptation to the life in swampy areas.
Avocets have webbed feet and very long, slender legs which facilitate walking through the shallow water.
Are carnivores (meat-eaters) eating mostly insects, worms, crustaceans, mollusks, fish and amphibians.
Due to their large size, avocets do not have a lot of natural enemies.
Are social animals that live in large flocks.
Will aggressively protect their territory and chase away unwanted (even larger) birds from their home range.
Nests are made out of the sand, mud, feathers, pebbles and vegetation.
Female lays between 3 and 5 greenish-brown eggs that will hatch after 23 to 25 days.
Young birds are able to walk as soon as they hatch, but they will stay with their parents until they reach the age of 35 to 42 days.
On average, avocet can survive up to 5 years in the wild.