American Avocet

41-51 cm (16-20") Fairly common. In summer, salt marshes, shallow lakes, ponds; in winter, coastal beaches, mudflats. More of a western bird; thousands concentrate at Great Salt Lake.

Tall, slim wader with a thin neck and spindly gray legs. Distinctive black-and-white pattern above, white below; head and neck rusty in breeding season, pale gray in winter.

Forages by sweeping its very thin upcurved bill from side to side.

Song: loud repeated "wheek".

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