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Pied Avocet,Alfaiate

Recurvirostra avosetta

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 inches (42–45.1 cm) in length of which the bill is approximately 2.95–3.35 inches (7.5–8.5 cm) and the legs are approximately 3–4 inches (7.6–10 cm). Its wing-span is approximately 30–31.5 inches (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

Habitat:

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). While the name may refer to black and white outfits once worn by European advocates or lawyers, the actual etymology is unknown. Other common names include Black-capped Avocet, Eurasian Avocet or just Avocet. The Pied Avocet is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies

Notes:

Spotted in the Vila Nova de gaia biological Park,in the Biorama facilitys. The portuguese name Alfaiate means tailor,maybee because of the bic is similar to a tailor needle

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2 Comments

AntónioGinjaGinja
AntónioGinjaGinja 11 years ago

Thanks alice,it was 18h and the sun was entering by the translucide plastic wall of the Biorama :) it give the photo a cool look :)

alicelongmartin
alicelongmartin 11 years ago

Nice series, must be Bath night!

Porto, Portugal

Spotted on Jun 11, 2012
Submitted on Jun 18, 2012

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