American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana)
Rails, Shorebirds, & Gulls
Casual
American Avocet, breeding - Quivira NWR, KS
© Tom Benson
American Avocets, non-breeding - San Jacinto, CA
© Brad Singer
The American Avocet is a casual visitor to campus: two were seen 13 May 2006. The American Avocet is a common winter visitor and migrant and localized breeding bird in southern California in a variety of open, shallow water habitats.
In winter the American Avocet is white overall, has black wings with a white wing stripe, bluish gray legs, and an upturned black bill. In breeding plumage it has an orangish head and neck.