Look what turned up!

 

Stephanie very kindly wrote to share this photo of American Avocets (Recurvirostra americana) from Dillon Beach.  She observed three individuals at Sand Point on 5 March 2019.   We don't often get to see avocets on the outer coasts of Sonoma and Marin counties, so this is a nice sighting.

Note that females tend to have shorter and more strongly recurved (turned upward) bills.

I think I last posted about avocets almost six years ago — check out the post called "Avocets in July" on 8 July 2013.

Many thanks to Stephanie for sharing her photo!

Avocets in July

There have been a lot of nice shorebirds around Bodega Harbor recently.  I missed the Wilson's Phalaropes this weekend, but on the 4th of July I photographed these three American Avocets on the tidal flats near Doran Beach:

 

These aren't the best shots, as the birds were somewhat distant.  But it's not as common to see avocets at the coast at this time of year, so the photos will serve as a record.

I started wondering if this might be an adult and two juveniles.  But I don't have any experience aging avocets.  If you have thoughts about this, I'd appreciate feedback!

 

The two smaller birds generally stayed close together and behaved in similar ways.  They seemed paler on the head, face, and breast.  And there were hints of white edges on some of the dark feathers (see picture below — I'm referring to the two birds that are preening).

 

It also seemed as though the larger bird was keeping a somewhat "watchful eye" on the smaller birds.

 

The larger bird occasionally called.  Most of the time it gave a clear, single note.  But occasionally it was two syllables.  Here's a rough recording if you'd like to hear an example.  It was windy at the time, but if you turn up your volume I think you'll be able to hear the avocet just fine.  Listen for two single notes, then a two-syllable phrase, then 3 single notes.  [If you're reading this in an e-mail, click on the title of the post above to see the sound file below.]

amav2 by nhbh


P.S.  On 7 July 2013, among the other shorebirds in Bodega Harbor, I also saw and heard a single Black-bellied Plover and two Greater Yellowlegs.  

Graceful

 

Leaving Doran Beach yesterday, I looked off to the side and noticed a small flock of American Avocets (Recurvirostra americana) in the tidal pond at the start of Doran Beach Road.

Avocets are beautiful shorebirds with striking black-and-white plumage, a very long recurved (upturned) bill, and long blue-gray legs.  (During the breeding season they'll develop cinnamon coloration on their heads and necks.)

Note the contrasting patterns on their backs and the outstretched legs.

 

 

On 9 January 2013, I counted thirteen American Avocets — see next photo.

 

Although it was very windy and there were even small whitecaps on the pond, the avocets appeared to be feeding.  Avocets are known to capture prey by "scything," swiping their bills from side to side to catch invertebrates and small fish.  But they use other methods and at this time they were swimming and surface plunging, submerging their heads and necks underwater.

 

Although American Avocets may be observed on this pond in winter, most apparently leave the coast by February.  [I think the closest nesting location is Shollenberger Park in Petaluma.]

I was curious about the word "avocet."  The Dictionary of American Bird Names (Choate and Paynter 1985) says that it's "quite possibly from the Latin avis...suggesting small and graceful."  I agree with graceful, but American Avocets are fairly large shorebirds, 43-47 cm (17-18.5 inches) long.

P.S.  Happy Birthday, Romie!