Stilts, Avocets

The Recurvirostridae family consists of wading birds known as avocets and stilts, which are found globally except in Antarctica. These birds have long, thin legs, necks, and bills, with avocets having upward-curving bills used for sweeping through brackish or saline waters to feed, while stilts have straight bills. They exhibit a black and white plumage, often have webbed front toes, with avocets being better swimmers. They communicate through short yelping calls and are generally similar in appearance, regardless of sex. Avocets and stilts feed on small aquatic prey and breed in open areas near water, sometimes forming colonies. They are monogamous for a season, lay light-colored, dark-marked eggs, and share incubation. Chicks are born with downy feathers and leave the nest quickly, becoming independent after some weeks to months, depending on the species. The black stilt of New Zealand is notably endangered. Taxonomy within the group, especially for stilts, is under debate, with differing opinions on the number of species within the genus Himantopus. The family includes various species, such as the banded stilt, black-winged stilt, American avocet, and red-necked avocet, each adapted to different regions and environments.