Pied Avocet
WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre.
What3Words
///trailers.ripen.grownup
The Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta) is a distinctive black and white wading bird known for its elegant, slender, and unique upturned bill and long, bluish-grey legs. It is a symbol of conservation success, particularly in the UK, where it is the emblem of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
Key Characteristics
Appearance:
Adults have striking white plumage with bold black patches on the head, back, and wings. The legs are long and bluish-grey, and the most notable feature is the long, thin, black bill that curves upward. Females have a slightly shorter, more curved bill than males.
Size:
It is a medium-sized bird, typically measuring 42–46 cm (16–18 in) in length with a wingspan of around 76–80 cm (30–31 in).
Diet and Feeding:
The avocet primarily feeds on small aquatic invertebrates such as insects, crustaceans, and worms. It forages in shallow water or on mudflats using a unique technique called "scything," where it sweeps its upturned bill from side to side in the water to detect and capture prey.
Habitat:
They inhabit a range of wetland environments, including coastal salt marshes, estuaries, and shallow saline or brackish lagoons.
Behavior and Distribution:
Pied avocets are highly social birds, often forming large flocks during migration and nesting seasons. They are migratory across much of their range, breeding in temperate Europe and across central Asia and wintering in warmer regions like Africa or southern Asia. Some populations, such as those in southern Spain and southern England, are resident year-round.
They nest in colonies on open ground near water, building a simple scrape lined with vegetation. Both parents are highly protective and will aggressively defend their nesting sites from predators.
Conservation Status:
Globally, the pied avocet is classified as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN due to its extensive range and large population.
In the UK, the bird has a remarkable conservation history. After becoming extinct as a breeding bird in the 19th century, it naturally recolonized East Anglian coastal areas during World War II when the areas were flooded as a defensive measure. Intensive conservation efforts, including the management of wetlands, have helped the population thrive and spread across the UK, making it a proud symbol of bird protection.
Pied Avocet
WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre.
What3Words
///trailers.ripen.grownup
The Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta) is a distinctive black and white wading bird known for its elegant, slender, and unique upturned bill and long, bluish-grey legs. It is a symbol of conservation success, particularly in the UK, where it is the emblem of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
Key Characteristics
Appearance:
Adults have striking white plumage with bold black patches on the head, back, and wings. The legs are long and bluish-grey, and the most notable feature is the long, thin, black bill that curves upward. Females have a slightly shorter, more curved bill than males.
Size:
It is a medium-sized bird, typically measuring 42–46 cm (16–18 in) in length with a wingspan of around 76–80 cm (30–31 in).
Diet and Feeding:
The avocet primarily feeds on small aquatic invertebrates such as insects, crustaceans, and worms. It forages in shallow water or on mudflats using a unique technique called "scything," where it sweeps its upturned bill from side to side in the water to detect and capture prey.
Habitat:
They inhabit a range of wetland environments, including coastal salt marshes, estuaries, and shallow saline or brackish lagoons.
Behavior and Distribution:
Pied avocets are highly social birds, often forming large flocks during migration and nesting seasons. They are migratory across much of their range, breeding in temperate Europe and across central Asia and wintering in warmer regions like Africa or southern Asia. Some populations, such as those in southern Spain and southern England, are resident year-round.
They nest in colonies on open ground near water, building a simple scrape lined with vegetation. Both parents are highly protective and will aggressively defend their nesting sites from predators.
Conservation Status:
Globally, the pied avocet is classified as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN due to its extensive range and large population.
In the UK, the bird has a remarkable conservation history. After becoming extinct as a breeding bird in the 19th century, it naturally recolonized East Anglian coastal areas during World War II when the areas were flooded as a defensive measure. Intensive conservation efforts, including the management of wetlands, have helped the population thrive and spread across the UK, making it a proud symbol of bird protection.