Avocet Bird Facts (Recurvirostra avosetta)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Avocet is a striking wader, characterised by its long, slender legs and uniquely upturned bill. Its plumage is predominantly white, with bold black markings on the head, back, and wings, creating a striking contrast. The long, thin neck and compact body contribute to its elegant silhouette.

Whilst males and females are almost identical in markings, the black area of the wing tip on the male is larger than that of the female, who also has a slightly shorter bill. There are no significant seasonal changes.

Juveniles resemble adults but have a duller, brownish-black colouration, whereas adults are black, and their bills are shorter and less curved.

Size

Length

42cm to 45cm

Wingspan

77cm to 80cm

Weight

240g to 340g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

White Black

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Blue

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Avocet is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Avocet is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Avocet can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Avocet can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Avocet is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Avocet is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Avocet is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Avocet is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Avocet is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Avocet is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Avocet is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Avocet is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Avocets inhabit shallow, brackish wetlands, including coastal lagoons, estuaries, and inland lakes. They prefer areas with exposed mudflats for feeding and nesting. Their range extends across Europe, Central Asia, and parts of Africa.

In the UK, Avocets are found primarily in eastern and southern England during the breeding season. Some populations in southern Europe are resident, while others migrate to Africa for the winter. They have also been successfully reintroduced to parts of the Netherlands and Germany.

Elevation Range

Up to 3,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Avocet. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Resident

Breeding

Non-breeding

Passage

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Albania Algeria Angola Armenia Azerbaijan Bahrain Belgium Bulgaria Cyprus Denmark Djibouti Egypt Ethiopia France Germany Greece Hungary Iran Iraq Israel Italy Jordan Kenya Kuwait Lesotho Macedonia Malawi Montenegro Mozambique Namibia Netherlands Oman Pakistan Portugal Qatar Romania Russia Saudi Arabia Serbia Slovenia Spain Sudan Sweden Syria Tanzania The United Kingdom Tunisia Turkey Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Afghanistan Austria Botswana China Croatia Czech Republic Eritrea Estonia Georgia Kazakhstan Moldova Mongolia Norway Poland Russia Slovakia South Africa Tajikistan Uzbekistan Western Sahara

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Bangladesh Bhutan Burkina Faso Cameroon Chad Gambia Guinea Guinea-Bissau India Libya Mali Mauritania Morocco Myanmar Niger Nigeria Senegal Sierra Leone Somalia South Sudan Sri Lanka Switzerland

Species that pass through the area during migration

Eswatini Kyrgyzstan Lebanon Palestine

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Benin Burundi Central African Republic Democratic Republic of the Congo Faroe Islands Finland Gibraltar Iceland Latvia Liberia Luxembourg Madagascar Rwanda

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Avocet demonstrates remarkable agility, particularly in its feeding technique. Its ability to perform precise, sweeping motions with its bill in shallow water, coupled with its graceful movements and synchronized swimming during courtship, indicates high levels of dexterity and coordination.

Strength 60

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

While not exceptionally strong for its size, the Avocet possesses adequate strength for its lifestyle. It can defend its territory effectively and undertake partial migrations, suggesting moderate strength. However, its slender build and specialised feeding adaptations prioritise finesse over raw power.

Adaptability 80

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Avocets show impressive adaptability, having rebounded from near extinction in the UK to become a conservation success story. Their ability to thrive in various wetland habitats, from coastal lagoons to inland lakes, and their successful reintroduction in parts of Europe, demonstrate considerable adaptability to changing environments.

Aggressiveness 75

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

During the breeding season, Avocets become notably aggressive, fiercely defending their nesting territories from intruders. This protective behaviour, essential for the survival of their young, contrasts with their generally social nature outside of breeding periods, indicating a situational but intense aggression.

Endurance 70

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Avocet's partial migratory behaviour and its ability to undertake long-distance flights suggest good endurance. However, as a medium-sized wader specialised for shallow water environments, its endurance is likely moderate compared to some long-distance migratory birds. Their preference for specific habitats may also limit their need for extreme endurance.

Diet

Avocets mainly feed on aquatic invertebrates, including small crustaceans, insects, and worms.

Their uniquely shaped bill is perfectly adapted for sweeping through shallow water and mud, allowing them to capture prey by touch. This specialised feeding technique enables them to forage efficiently in turbid waters.

Behaviour

Avocets are known for their distinctive feeding technique: They sweep their upturned bills from side to side in shallow water to catch small invertebrates.

They are social birds, often seen in small flocks, and engage in synchronised swimming during courtship displays. During the breeding season, Avocets become fiercely territorial, aggressively defending their nesting areas from intruders.

Vocalisation

Avocets have a distinctive, high-pitched call often described as a clear, ringing 'kluit' or 'kluit-kluit'. This vocalisation is frequently heard during the breeding season, especially when defending territory or communicating with their mate.

They also produce softer, chattering sounds when in flocks.

Nesting & Breeding

Avocets typically form monogamous pairs each breeding season, which usually begins in April or May. Courtship involves elaborate displays, including synchronised swimming and aerial manoeuvres.

Nests are simple scrapes on the ground, often on islands or shorelines, lined with nearby vegetation. Females lay 3-4 olive-brown eggs with dark spots. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs.

Incubation lasts about 23-25 days. Chicks are precocial and able to leave the nest within hours of hatching. They fledge after 35-42 days but remain dependent on their parents for several more weeks.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

While currently listed as Least Concern globally, Avocets have faced historical declines due to habitat loss. They've become a conservation success story in the UK, rebounding from near extinction in the 1940s.

Ongoing wetland protection and management are crucial for their continued success.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

280,000 - 470,000 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

Look for Avocets in shallow, brackish wetlands or coastal lagoons.
Observe their unique sweeping motion while feeding in shallow water.
Listen for their distinctive 'kluit-kluit' call, especially during breeding season.
In the UK, visit reserves like Minsmere or Titchwell Marsh for excellent viewing opportunities.
Bring a spotting scope to appreciate their elegant features from a distance.

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Pied Avocet

Family:

Recurvirostridae

Average Lifespan

10 years

Max Lifespan

27.8 years ^[3]

Predators

Main predators of Avocets include foxes, gulls, and birds of prey such as harriers and falcons. Eggs and chicks are particularly vulnerable to corvids and small mammals.

Did You Know?

The Avocet is the emblem of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) in the UK.
Avocet chicks can swim within hours of hatching but cannot fly for several weeks.
Their upturned bill is an adaptation that allows them to feed uniquely, unlike most other waders.
Avocets were reintroduced into the UK after the Second World War (having completely disappeared from Great Britain for over 100 years) following the deliberate flooding of marsh areas around East Anglia, which was returned to salt marsh during the war to deter possible German landings. These areas were ideally suited to avocets.

References

1
website: BirdLife International. 2021. Recurvirostra avosetta. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T22693712A177125045.
View source
2
report, 2015: Wetlands International
3
website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
View source