BIRD OF THE MONTH - American Avocet

May 2026 - American Avocet

The American Avocet takes elegance to a new level. This long-legged wader glides through shallow waters swishing its slender, upturned bill from side to side to catch aquatic invertebrates. With each step they put their slightly open bill in the water and move it in the direction of the outstretched foot, alternating sides with each step.

It dons a sophisticated look for summer with a black-and-white body and a rusty head and neck. During the winter the head and neck turn a grayish white, but the bird loses none of its elegance as it forages along coastal waters or rests while standing on one leg.

The call of male and females is a repeated, high pitched kleet. They are generally silent, calling only when disturbed. On the breeding grounds, avocets breed in loose colonies and defend the nest site. Intruders are met with outstretched necks or a crouch-run where they ruffle their feathers, crouch down, and run at the intruder.

Medium-distance migrant. In the western United States, American Avocets may migrate south for the winter, or they may migrate west from inland breeding sites to coastal wintering sites.