Pied Avocet

The Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta) is a large black and white wader in the avocet and stilt family, Recurvirostridae. They breed in temperate Europe and across the Palearctic to Central Asia then on to the Russian Far East. It is a migratory species, and the majority spend their winters in southern Asia or Africa. Some species continue to spend the winter in the driest regions of their range, such as southern Spain and southern England. The Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies to a number of species, including the pied avocet.

A beautiful white wader with dramatic black patterns is the pied avocet. Adults are covered in white feathers, with the exception of a black helmet and black spots on the wings and back. They have long, bluish legs and long, upturned bills. Its length is roughly 41.9–45.1 cm, with a beak that is 7.5–8.5 cm long and legs that are 7.6–10.2 cm long. Its wingspan ranges from 76 to 80 cm. Both sexes have similar appearances. The juvenile and adult are similar, although the juvenile has more sepia and greyish tones.