American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana) photos by Larry Jordan
I spent a couple of days last week in Sierra Valley (in Plumas County) where the headwaters of the middle fork of the Feather River originate. I found these beautiful American Avocets (Recurvirostra americana) in breeding plumage, wading through flooded fields along with Black-necked Stilts and Wilson’s Phalaropes (click on photos for full sized images).
They usually feed in open water that is less than 8 inches deep but will swim in water that is too deep for wading.
American Avocets feed mainly on aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, small fish and seeds, using several feeding methods.
They use visual feeding methods of pecking, plunging and snatching. This bird was standing still and visually searching for prey and then capturing it with a quick jab of its bill.
They will also plunge their head and upper breast into the water or snatch flying insects in their beaks1. The more common tactile feeding method is to move that very sensitive, long recurved bill side to side in a scything motion.
Every once in awhile they would pause and look up
…seemingly curious about what I was doing.
Then go back to feeding in the shallows showing the distinctive black and white chevron pattern on their backs.
I really enjoyed watching them feed along with the Stilts and Phalaropes. More photos from birds on this trip coming soon!
If you want to see some great bird photos from around the world you have to check out World Bird Wednesday!
References: 1 Birds of North America Online
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Gorgeous birds! With that wispy curved bill, they can’t help but look graceful!
Beautiful bird! Great shots!!
That’s a beautiful series! I love the picture where it has a water drop in its beak.
Great closeups of a fascinating shorebird!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
This is a striking shorebird. I enjoyed learning about their eating habits.
A stunning series of images. Beautiful and I say no more.
WOW Larry, sensational captures of this beautiful bird! Excellent post my friend!
I am ceaselessly amazed how nature has developed such amazing specialised creatures. Thank you for this intimate, informative look!
A beautiful bird to see.
Lovely images many thanks for sharing.
Fantastic series of shots!
Oh my… these are absolutely marvelous images… each and every one is a jewel… lovely composition and detail and marvelous information as well. Such a beautiful bird!
This is really the bird that started us birding (we’re still amateurs) but the first time we saw an avocet it was as if we’d seen a creature from another planet — I’d never even imagined or seen a picture of such a beautiful bird. So it is still one of my all-time favorites. Thanks for sharing — your pictures are fabulous!
Great post. It is always fun to watch shorebirds digging and searching for food.
Nice shots of this lovely shorebird!
What a gorgeous creature! I’ve never even heard of this bird–love it! Your photos are great!
this is truly a stunning bird. I have only seen the European one. I don´t think it becomes so colorful.