avocets
Upcurved bill waders
Avocets are wading birds with long legs and distinctive upturned bills, which they sweep side to side through shallow water to catch small invertebrates.
Four species exist worldwide, all with striking black-and-white plumage.
The American avocet breeds in western North America and is known for its rust-colored head and neck during breeding season.
Coastal areas exposed at low tide
- estuariesRiver-sea meeting points
- saltmarshCoastal wetland with brackish water
- lagoonsSheltered coastal water bodies
- shallow waterLow-depth aquatic area
brackish · intertidal · marshes · tidal flats · wetlands · sandbanks · mangroves · salt pans
Shallow-water walker
- stiltsPoles raising walkers higher
- shorebirdCoastal bird species
- plumageBird's complete feather coat
- black-and-whiteWithout color gradations
migration · flock · nesting · breeding · chicks · eggs · foraging · invertebrates
Elegant in movement
- long-leggedWith extended lower limbs
- slenderThin and graceful
- delicateEasily broken or harmed
- strikingNoticeably impressive
distinctive · poised · svelte · sleek
Extracting nutrients from water
- crustaceansExoskeleton-bearing aquatic arthropods
- brine shrimpTiny saline-water crustacean
- insectsSix-legged arthropods
- larvaeImmature metamorphosing creatures
mudflats
Coastal areas exposed at low tide
- estuariesRiver-sea meeting points
- saltmarshCoastal wetland with brackish water
- lagoonsSheltered coastal water bodies
shallow water · brackish · intertidal · marshes · tidal flats · wetlands · sandbanks · mangroves · salt pans · nesting sites
wader
Shallow-water walker
black-and-white · migration · flock · nesting · breeding · chicks · eggs · foraging · invertebrates · sweeping motion
graceful
Elegant in movement
- long-leggedWith extended lower limbs
- slenderThin and graceful
- delicateEasily broken or harmed
striking · distinctive · poised · svelte · sleek
filter feeding
Extracting nutrients from water
- crustaceansExoskeleton-bearing aquatic arthropods
- brine shrimpTiny saline-water crustacean
- insectsSix-legged arthropods
- shorebirdssandpiper, sandpipers, plover, plovers, curlew
- wetlandsswamp, swamps, marsh, marshes, marshland
- wildlife refugewildlife viewing, wildlife corridor, wildlife corridors, wildlife trails, deer habitat
- Camarguewhite horses, pink flamingos, flamingos, salt marshes, marshlands
- Wadden Seatidal flats, mudflats, salt marshes, harbor seals, grey seals
avocetssongbirds
Perching birds with musical calls
raptors · woodpeckers · penguins · herons · albatrosses