Andean Avocet
Recurvirostra andina
An elegant, boldly patterned large shorebird of high Andean salt lakes, bogs, and lagoon shores. White head and body contrasting with glossy black upperparts are distinctive even at long range; at closer range note bluish legs and long fine bill with upswept tip. Often in pairs or small groups; feeds while wading in shallows, sweeping its bill through the water. Sexes look similar but female’s bill is more strongly upcurved. Gives noisy calls when agitated, especially near nest.
Identification
This avocet has a white head, neck, underparts and rump, and dark brown back, wings and tail. It is similar in size but slightly bulkier than the American avocet, at 43–48 cm (17–19 in) in length and 315–410 g (11.1–14.5 oz) in weight. Average body mass is 361 g (12.7 oz), making it likely the heaviest of the Recurvirostridae family. 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.<p>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.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Recurvirostra andina
- Authority
- Philippi & Landbeck, 1861
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Family
- Recurvirostridae
- Genus
- Recurvirostra
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Vertical migration
Behavior
The Andean avocet nests near shallow, preferably alkaline lakes in the Andes, often in small groups. The eggs are laid in at least January.<p>This species is non-migratory, but may move to slightly lower altitudes when not breeding.<p>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 and insect prey.
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Linaria johannis
A fine-billed finch with a notched tail. Neatly patterned mostly in gray and white, with black wings and tail and a rufous lower back and thighs. Male has a striking white eyebrow, lower cheek patch, wing notch, and rump. Female is duller, with a less striking facial pattern; juvenile is buffier and streakier. A rare resident in the hilly Daalo and Mash Caleed regions of northern Somalia, where it prefers degraded juniper forest and other woodland and scrub between 1200 and 2400 meters of elevation. Forages on the ground in pairs or small groups, and perches on exposed branches and dead trees. Sings a typical canary-like song with whistles, trills, and buzzes. Calls include a high-pitched “tsee-wit.” Streaky juvenile could be confused with a canary, but white in the wing is distinctive.
Luzon Rail
Lewinia mirifica
A mysterious medium-sized rail, possibly of foothill or montane grassy areas and forests. Dark brown above with a pale gray chest, a whitish throat, a barred belly, blackish legs, and a fairly long, curved reddish bill. Little known in life and mainly seen at a banding station, suggesting local migration. Similar to Slaty-breasted and Buff-banded Rails, but Luzon has a fairly unpatterned back, a longer, thinner bill, and no rufous on the head. Voice little known, although when distressed, gives a sharp “kwik!” and various squeals.
White-crowned Lapwing
Vanellus albiceps
This striking lapwing is best identified by its long yellow wattles, white belly, and gray head split down the center by a broad white crown stripe. In flight, the distinctive wings are almost entirely white with black tips. It prefers breeding and foraging on large permanent rivers with extensive sand banks but will also wander to smaller streams and pans. It utters a loud “kriiip” call when alarmed or defending its territory. The similar Wattled Lapwing differs from White-headed Lapwing by having a dark belly and red-based wattles.
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