American Avocet

-Recurvirostra Americana-

Length: 18 inches Wingspan: 29.5 - 32.5 inches

Long legs and neck, a chunky body, small head and a long upturned bill characterize this wading bird which feeds by sweeping it bill from side to side through the water. Head and neck are rusty in breeding plumage. Present in Texas during August through November and March through May. Nests mainly in Northern and Northwestern United States. There are approximately 450,000 of this species known to exist worldwide.