Avocet
The avocet is an elegant, black and white wading bird with an upturned bill
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HABITATS
The avocet has a clean, white body with black curved bands on the wings. The head is white with a black hindneck, face, and crown. The long, bill which curves up at the end is black, the eyes are dark brown, and the legs and feet are pale blue-grey.
Males and females are similar, except the female has a shorter bill that curves more.
Juvenile avocets have grey mottling on the white parts, and brown tinges on the black parts.
During the summer, avocets are found along the east coast of England, while in winter they can be seen in the southwest. Look out for them in coastal lagoons and estuaries, wetlands, and shallow lakes.
SPOTTING TIPS
Avocets are easy to identify at close range, but from a distance can get lost in flocks of gulls. When swimming, it holds its tail up high out of the water.
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