Wader Quest species seen n° 14: Pied Avocet

Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

Titchwell RSPB reserve, Norfolk, England, August 2011.

1st November. Cley NNT reserve, Norfolk England (also UAE). 

A couple of birds seen on Pat's Pool on the reserve while we were watching the White-rumped Sandpiper. Also seen at the Ras-al-Khor reserve in Dubai.

This species has a strange distribution with breeding birds being found on the northern European coasts and then in a band across the Mediterranean through Asia to China. These birds are migratory, some European birds travel great distances down to western Africa while other remain in smaller number is northern Europe. Even within the UK birds can be found all year, breeding more to the eastern counties and wintering along the south coast. There is also a large resident range in east and southern Africa.

Titchwell RSPB reserve, Norfolk, England, August 2011.

There was a huge decline of the species in Europe, but since the 1940s this population has recovered significantly; however, with the current trend for wetlands becoming ever more threatened they could be seriously affected again, being less catholic in their habitat preferences than some other wetland birds.

Titchwell RSPB reserve, Norfolk, England, August 2011.

Pied Avocet is Considered of Least Concern by Birdlife International It has a global population estimated between 210,000 and 460,000. Some populations seem to be in decline while others are increasing so an overall trend is uncertain. Threats include pollution and habitat loss.

Titchwell RSPB reserve, Norfolk, England, June 2012.

Birdlife International (2013) Species factsheet: Recurvirostra avosetta. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 06/02/2013

del Hoyo, J., Elliot, A. & Sargatal, J. eds (1996). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 3. Hoatzins to Auks. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Captive bird WWT Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, England, October 2012.

For more information on this species see:

Birdlife International species factsheet: http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3107

Arkive: http://www.arkive.org/avocet/recurvirostra-avosetta/#src=portletV3api

Internet Bird Collection: http://ibc.lynxeds.com/species/pied-avocet-recurvirostra-avosetta