Black-winged Stilt vs American Avocet

Himantopus himantopus compared with Recurvirostra americana

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Black-winged Stilt American Avocet
Scientific Name Himantopus himantopus Recurvirostra americana
Order Charadriiformes Charadriiformes
Family Recurvirostridae Recurvirostridae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 44.8 cm (17.6 in) 43.6 cm (17.2 in)
Weight 215.5 g (7.60 oz) 307.5 g (10.85 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 3-6 3-5
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Black-winged Stilt only

None

American Avocet only

None

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Black-winged Stilt

Least Concern

American Avocet

About These Birds

Black-winged Stilt

Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) is a slender 33–36 cm wader with extraordinarily long pink legs. Black wings contrast with white body and neck; long thin bill. Wingspan to 70 cm. Widespread across Eurasia, Africa, and Australasia. Inhabits shallow freshwater and brackish lagoons, salt pans, and flooded fields.

American Avocet

American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana) is a large 40–51 cm wader of North America. Black and white body; orange-rufous head and neck in breeding plumage; long upturned bill; blue-grey legs. Inhabits shallow saline and freshwater lakes, marshes, and coastal flats from western Canada to Mexico. Migratory. Sweeps bill side-to-side in water.

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