- Andean Avocet
Taxobox
name = Andean Avocet
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
image_width =
regnum =Animal ia
phylum = Chordata
classis =Aves
ordo =Charadriiformes
familia =Recurvirostridae
genus = "Recurvirostra"
species = "R. andina"
binomial = "Recurvirostra andina"
binomial_authority = Philippi & Landbeck, 1861The Andean Avocet ("Recurvirostra andina") is a largewader in theavocet andstilt bird family,Recurvirostridae . It is resident in theAndes , breeding above 3500 m in northwesternArgentina , westernBolivia , northernChile and southernPeru .Description
This 43-48 cm long avocet has a white head, neck, underparts and rump, and dark brown back, wings and tail. The thin, grey legs are not as long as with other avocet species, but the long thin black bill is upturned at the end. The sexes are similar, and the juvenile plumage is undescribed.
The colour pattern is similar to that of the local subspecies "Himantopus himantopus melanurus" of
Black-winged Stilt , but that bird has very long red legs a white tail and a straight bill.Behaviour
The Andean Avocet nests near shallow, preferably
alkali ne lakes in the Andes, often in small groups. The eggs are laid in at least January.This species is non-migratory, but may move to slightly lower altitudes when not breeding.
The Andean Avocet forages in shallow water or on mud flats, often sweeping its bill from side to side in water as it seeks its
crustacean andinsect prey.References
* Hayman, Marchant and Prater, "Shorebirds" ISBN 0-873403-19-4
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