Mystery Bird: Pied Avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta

tags: , , , ,

[Mystery bird] Pied Avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta, photographed in Walvis Bay, Namibia, Africa [I will identify this bird for you in 48 hours]

Image: Dennis Paulson, April 2007 [larger view].

Please name at least one field mark that supports your identification.

Review all mystery birds to date.

More like this

This is a summary of several of the better books I’ve had the opportunity to review here, organized in general categories.
tags: conservation, endangered species,
Family Guy, S07E02 'I Dream of Jesus': Peter: Brian, can I see that paper for a sec? (Brian gives Peter the paper. Peter peruses the paper.) Peter: Huh... that's odd... I thought that would big news.

I'd say it's a Pied Avocet. The black and white pattern of the plumage is pretty distinct, and the strongly upwards curved beak is also a good field mark.

It's definitely an un-American Avocet. Probably a commie, too. Quick, somebody call Rush Limbaugh!

Black/white plumage and the upturned bill make this Pied Avocet. Your comment about the bird being an African resident is true, since the species is present all year round in much of its African range, but somewhat misleading for a bird also found in much of Europe.

By Larry Gardella (not verified) on 22 Jun 2009 #permalink

Recurvirostra avosetta. That upturned bill and the particular black and white plumage make it practically unmistakeable.

By António Matos (not verified) on 22 Jun 2009 #permalink

Definitely a Pied Avovet. Upturned bill, Black on white feather coloration of head,