| Avocets | ||||||||||
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Red-necked Avocet. | ||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||
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| † See also Stilt |
The four species of Avocets are waders in the same bird family as the stilts. They are found in warm or hot climates.
They have long legs and long upcurved bills which they sweep from side to side when feeding in the brackish or saline wetlands they prefer. The plumage is pied, sometimes also with some red.
The avocets have webbed feet and they will readily swim. Food is aquatic insects and other small creatures.
They nest on the ground in loose colonies.
Species are: