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Recurvirostra americana
The American Avocet is about 46 cm (18 in) tall. It has long, slender, grayish legs. Plumage is as shown during the breeding season. Its bill is long, slender and curved upwards.
It nests in marshes (where I found this one), ponds, shallow lakes, and beaches. Typically this bird wades, but also swims, as this one is doing.
Spotted on Jul 24, 2011
Submitted on Aug 3, 2011
3 Comments
Lovely pic!!
ive never had the chance and luck to spot birds in the number of thousands ,
out here where i stay we have a variety of birds but it is very difficult for us to spot them and photograph them .you are lucky to have so many around you...
A number of years ago, I found myself literally surrounded by thousands of these gorgeous birds. My wife and I were sitting on the breakwater near Galveston, TX. The avocets were flying in from the mudflats being inundated by the incoming tide and they were landing right in front of us. Their numbers kept swelling as more and more birds arrived. They formed a semi-circle around us, with the closest birds being about 30 feet away. Soon we were in the midst of a feeding frenzy as thousands surrounded us bobbing and dipping as they fed. It was one of the most memorable wildlife experiences of my life.
Amazing bird!