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    Pied avocet

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    One of the very few birds with an upturned bill

    Andreas Trepte








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    Pied avocet

    EXEWCRENVUNTLCDDNE

    One of the very few birds with an upturned bill

    Population 280,000 – 470,000

    A captivating species of wading bird native to the Old World. Characterized by its striking black and white plumage and its distinctive upturned, slender beak, the Pied Avocet cuts a graceful figure as it forages along the shores of wetlands and estuaries.

    Both male and female Pied Avocets sport similar plumage adorned with bold contrasting colors of black and white. However, keen observers may note subtle differences, such as the slightly shorter and more curved beak of the female compared to the male. These avian beauties are renowned for their elegant appearance and their graceful movements as they wade through shallow waters in search of prey.

    The preferred habitats of the Pied Avocet vary throughout its range, but they typically favor flat, open environments with brackish or salty waters and sparse vegetation for breeding purposes. Breeding colonies are commonly found in locations such as lakes, lagoons, saltpans, and estuaries where suitable nesting sites and food resources are abundant. During the breeding season, these birds meticulously construct nests on the ground, often lining them with twigs, grasses, and other natural materials.

    Outside of the breeding season, Pied Avocets may frequent muddy tidal flats, where they use their specialized bills to probe the substrate for invertebrates, crustaceans, and small fish. While they primarily inhabit coastal areas, they may occasionally venture into freshwater habitats such as lakes and rivers, particularly during migration or in search of suitable foraging grounds.

    Despite their preference for coastal environments, Pied Avocets exhibit remarkable adaptability and can be found in a wide range of geographical locations. From the marshes of Europe to the wetlands of Asia and even the high elevations of Afghanistan, these birds have demonstrated their ability to thrive in diverse habitats across their global range.

    Distribution

    Country
    Population est.
    Status
    Year
    Comments
    Afghanistan
    2020
    Breeding
    Albania
    2020
    Algeria
    2020
    Angola
    2020
    Armenia
    2020
    Austria
    2020
    Breeding
    Azerbaijan
    2020
    Bahrain
    2020
    Bangladesh
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Belgium
    2020
    Benin
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Bhutan
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Botswana
    2020
    Breeding
    Bulgaria
    2020
    Burkina Faso
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Burundi
    2020
    Vagrant
    Cameroon
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Central Af. Rep.
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Chad
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    China
    2020
    Breeding
    Croatia
    2020
    Breeding
    Cyprus
    2020
    Czechia
    2020
    Breeding
    DR Congo (Kinshasa)
    2020
    Vagrant
    Denmark
    2020
    Djibouti
    2020
    Egypt
    2020
    Eritrea
    2020
    Breeding
    Estonia
    2020
    Breeding
    Eswatini
    2020
    Passage
    Ethiopia
    2020
    Faroe Islands
    2020
    Vagrant
    Finland
    2020
    Vagrant
    France
    2020
    Gambia
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Georgia
    2020
    Breeding
    Germany
    2020
    Gibraltar
    2020
    Vagrant
    Greece
    2020
    Guinea-Bissau
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Guinea
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Hungary
    2020
    Iceland
    2020
    Vagrant
    India
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Iran
    2020
    Iraq
    2020
    Israel
    2020
    Italy
    2020
    Jordan
    2020
    Kazakhstan
    2020
    Breeding
    Kenya
    2020
    Kuwait
    2020
    Kyrgyzstan
    2020
    Passage
    Latvia
    2020
    Vagrant
    Lebanon
    2020
    Passage
    Lesotho
    2020
    Liberia
    2020
    Vagrant
    Libya
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Luxembourg
    2020
    Vagrant
    Madagascar
    2020
    Vagrant
    Malawi
    2020
    Mali
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Mauritania
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Moldova
    2020
    Breeding
    Mongolia
    2020
    Breeding
    Montenegro
    2020
    Morocco
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Mozambique
    2020
    Myanmar
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Namibia
    2020
    Netherlands
    2020
    Niger
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Nigeria
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    North Macedonia
    2020
    Norway
    2020
    Breeding
    Oman
    2020
    Pakistan
    2020
    Poland
    2020
    Breeding
    Portugal
    2020
    Qatar
    2020
    Romania
    2020
    Russia
    2020
    Breeding
    Rwanda
    2020
    Vagrant
    Saudi Arabia
    2020
    Senegal
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Serbia
    2020
    Sierra Leone
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Slovakia
    2020
    Breeding
    Slovenia
    2020
    Somalia
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    South Africa
    2020
    Breeding
    South Sudan
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Spain
    2020
    Sri Lanka
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Sudan
    2020
    Sweden
    2020
    Switzerland
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Syria
    2020
    Tajikistan
    2020
    Breeding
    Tanzania
    2020
    Tunisia
    2020
    Turkey
    2020
    Turkmenistan
    0
    Official estimate
    EX
    2020
    Extinct locally
    UAE
    2020
    Uganda
    2020
    Ukraine
    2020
    United Kingdom
    2020
    Uzbekistan
    2020
    Breeding
    Yemen
    2020
    Zambia
    2020
    Zimbabwe
    2020

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    Get to know me

    Terrestrial / Aquatic

    Altricial / Precocial

    Polygamous / Monogamous

    Dimorphic / Monomorphic (size)

    Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

    Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd / Flock

    Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

    Migratory: Yes / No

    Domesticated: Yes / No

    Dangerous: Yes / No

    EXEWCRENVUNTLCDDNE
    Least Concern(IUCN)
    World Population 280,000 – 470,000
    Added by BioDB
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    Threats

    Habitat destruction / Climate change / Freshwater pollution / Marine pollution / Deforestation / Farming / Fishing practices / Poaching & wildlife trade / Invasive species / Parasites & diseases / Noise pollution / Light pollution

    My ID

    Scientific name: Recurvirostra avosetta Other names:

    Black-capped avocet
    Eurasian avocet
    Avocet

    Physical traits

    Length: 17 –16 in (42 – 46 cm) Weight: 142 – 397 g (5 – 14 oz) Lifespan: 10 – 15 years Wingspan: 30 – 32 in (76 – 80 cm) Incubation: 23 – 25 days Eggs: 3 – 5 eggs
    Habitats: Coastal Marine Fresh water Lakes Savannah/Grassland
    Regions: Africa Asia Europe
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