
This species is recognized by its bold black-and-white pattern, long blue-gray legs, and long upturned bill. Alternate Adult: Wings are black with white scapulars and secondaries. The back and underparts are white. The head, neck, and upper breast are buffy orange to cinnamon--about the color of a perfectly toasted marshmallow--with a white eye ring and white around the base of the bill. Sexes are similar, but female's bill is slightly shorter and more strongly curved upward. Basic Adult: Similar to alternate plumage, but the head, neck and upper breast are pearly gray. Juvenile: Similar to alternate adult, but paler cinnamon on neck, and with pale feather edges on black upperparts.
Length: 43 (cm) Wingspan: 69 (cm)
Voice:
Call is a high Wheet, often repeated.
Habitat:
Shallow ponds and alkaline lakes, mudflats, marshes.
Behavior:
Breeds in loose colonies. Aggressively mobs predators near breeding sites.
Feeding:
Usually feeds while wading or swimming, sweeping its bill back and forth through the water. Occasionally pecks at surface of mud.
Field Notes

I have seen these guys Rarely in Migration in Western WA
Citation: Personal Experience. I observe this occasionally, confident.

This is my first note to test the notes.
Citation: Personal Experience. I recently observed this, confidence uncertain at this time.
Expanded Life History
Feed Ecology And Diet | Contribute Content |
Nesting Habits |
Oregon nest described as being constructed of a few sticks on a small (10 feet wide) grass-free island of dry ground in the middle of a mudflat (Manassa Schrock 1959). by Dave Irons on July 13, 2012 at 08:31 am |
Migration Status | Contribute Content |
Conservation Status | Contribute Content |
Local Sites to Spot | Contribute Content |
Abundance Status | Contribute Content |
Adult Male Description | Contribute Content |
Adult Female Description | Contribute Content |
ITIS Taxonomic Number | Contribute Content |
Sonogram | Contribute Content |
Courtship | Contribute Content |
Reproductive Characteristics | Contribute Content |
Relationship to Humans | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Size & Shape | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Color & Pattern | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Habitat | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Behavior | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Wingspan | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Weight | Contribute Content |
Breeding | Contribute Content |
Cool Facts | Contribute Content |
Local Knowledge | Contribute Content |
Post a Question
Sightings
Date | Submitted By | Count |
---|---|---|
09/06/16 | Steven Mauvais, OR | 1 |
08/30/16 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
05/16/14 | Julia Richert, OR | 3 |
07/25/13 | Christopher Hinkle, OR | 652 |
07/24/13 | Christopher Hinkle, OR | 3 |
05/29/13 | dawn villaescusa, OR | # |
05/29/13 | dawn villaescusa, OR | # |
05/05/13 | Nina Bohn | 6 |
06/15/12 | Christopher Hinkle, OR | # |
05/27/12 | Dave Irons, OR | # |
11/22/11 | Jacob Parks, OR | # |
02/04/12 | Dave Irons, OR | 1 |
04/19/10 | Mary Ratcliff, OR | # |
06/11/11 | Mary Ratcliff, OR | # |
05/25/11 | Mary Ratcliff, OR | # |
Recent Activity
Activity | Date & Time |
---|---|
Steven Mauvais added American Avocet to their Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge smart list | 8/30/2016 at 5:31PM |
JC Blake added a note to American Avocet Notes | 5/09/2013 at 7:26PM |
Dan Mitchell added American Avocet to their Tule Lake Wildlife Refuge smart list | 9/24/2011 at 2:13PM |
Bjorn Hinrichs added a Size note to American Avocet Size Notes | 6/15/2010 at 9:45PM |