Latin Name: Recurvirostra avocetta

Family: Recurvirostrides

Description ( photo, colour of male and female, height, shape of beak) :
height: 42 to 45 cm, wingspan: 77 to 80 cm, weight: 250 to 400 g
This species is large and elegant with black and white feathers. It has a wide neck and a thin beak which turns upwards. The long legs are pale blue- grey. The female sometimes has a white circle around the eye. Its feet are webbed.

Reproduction :
The female lays 3 to 5 eggs which are plain, tawny with black spots. They weigh 30 to32 g. After 24 days of incubation the young ones are born. Nesting takes place on open ground and close to water.

Diet:
It feeds itself on aquatic inverterbrates ( small crustaceans and micro-organisms).

Habitat:
It lives in damp areas, salt marshes, muddy ground, lagoons and mud flats.

Migration :
It migrates and nests in Europe. They are found more in Africa. Wintering takes place in Western Europe, to the North West of India and southern China passing through the Middle East.

Conservation: ( protected species or not) :
It is a protected species in France. The species is threatened by the destruction of its habitat which allows it to feed, nest and winter (alteration of the lagoons and salt marshes).Poaching is also a big threat.

Lifespan : 25 years maximum

Cry or song ( description) :
A loud nervous yelp: "kluit or klip "

photo : Alain Fossé