American Avocet Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesAmerican Avocet
Breeding adult
Long-legged shorebird with a long, upturned bill. Breeding birds have a rusty head and neck and a black-and-white body.
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryMontana, June 01, 2020Nonbreeding adult/immature
Tall shorebird with an upturned bill. Nonbreeding birds have a grayish white head.
© Denny Swaby / Macaulay LibraryBodden Town, March 14, 2020Breeding adults
Forages in shallow wetlands. Sweeps its bill side to side through the water to catch invertebrates.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryMissouri, May 01, 1997Not all videos have sound
Nonbreeding/immature
In flight, note black patch on the back.
© Darren Clark / Macaulay LibraryIdaho, October 05, 2018Breeding adult
Swings its long upturned bill through shallow water to catch small invertebrates.
© Paul Barchilon / Macaulay LibraryColorado, May 10, 2017Breeding adult
Slowly walks through wetlands shaking its foot with each step.
© Larry Arbanas / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, May 01, 2005Not all videos have sound
Breeding adult
Tall and graceful shorebird with a striking black-and-white body, a rusty head and neck, and an upturned bill. Females tend to have more sharply curved bills than males.
© Peter Nichols / Macaulay LibraryMinnesota, April 15, 2017Juvenile
Young leave the nest within 24 hours. Juveniles are downy with a mottled back, gaining adultlike plumage as they age. Juveniles have a straighter bill than adults.
© Susan Teefy / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, July 04, 2017Nonbreeding adults
Often rests on one leg, tucking its bill under the shoulder.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, September 23, 2012Not all videos have sound
Breeding adult
Often wades while foraging but also swims. Males tend to have less curve in the bill than females.
© Tim Lenz / Macaulay LibraryColorado, May 11, 2016Breeding adult
Found in shallow fresh and saltwater wetlands.
© Ad Konings / Macaulay LibraryTexas, May 02, 2020Breeding adults
Swipes bill from side to side or pecks into the water to catch aquatic invertebrates and small fish.
© Benjamin Clock / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, March 24, 2013Not all videos have sound
Similar SpeciesBlack-necked Stilt
Adult (Black-necked)
Black-necked Stilts are shorter with a more dainty appearance than American Avocets. They also have a shorter and straighter bill than the longer and upturned bill on American Avocets.
© Dorian Anderson / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, January 21, 2017Similar SpeciesMarbled Godwit
Breeding adult
Marbled Godwits are browner overall than American Avocets with a heavily barred back and belly (during the breeding season). Their bill is also bi-colored but the bill on American Avocets is solid black .
© Jeff Timmons / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, June 22, 2017Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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