American avocet (Recurvirostra americana)

The avocet has long, thin, gray legs, which gives it its colloquial name, “blue cane.” The plumage is black and white on its back with white on the belly. The neck and head are tan in the summer and gray in the winter.

Habitat:

Beaches, plains, shallow lakes, and prairie ponds. They are widely spread in shallow waters and in extensive marshes along the coast and inland. In general they are found in very open environments with little vegetation. Inland, it tends to prefer salty or alkaline lakes over freshwater ones.

Diet:

Mostly small crustaceans and insects and also some seeds. Feeds on large numbers of small animals that live in or near shallow water. Their diet includes many gnat larvae, other aquatic insects, and small crustaceans.

Migratory bird most likely to be seen during winter

Location:

Beach, lagoons and areas near the estuary.