Pied Avocet

Afrikaans name: Bontelsie

A stunning shot of a Pied Avocet in flight

Photo © Riaan van den Berg - Fotolia.com

Recurvirostra avosetta

The Pied Avocet is an elegant bird with its stunning black and white plumage and upturned bill.

It can be seen in many places in South Africa but it is particularly common in the western half of the country.

The Pied Avocet is normally found near water. It feeds on small crustaceans which it catches by swinging its bill from side to side. It does also occasionally eat fish.

Photo © Riaan van den Berg - Fotolia.com

They make their nest on the ground and lay up to 4 eggs. Both parents attend to the eggs and chicks.

References and further reading

Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 42

World Birds - Author: Brian P. Martin - Published: 1987 - Page: 87

Wading Birds of the World - Revised edition - Author: Eric and Richard Soothill - Published: 1989 - Page: 306

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 80

The Coastal Guide of South Africa - Author: Jacana Media - Published: 2007 - Page: 100

Two Oceans - Author: Branch, Griffiths, Branch and Beckley - Published: 2010 - Page: 346

The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 19

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 110

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 141

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 122

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 158

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 160

Shorebirds - Author: P. Hayman, J. Marchant, T. Prater - Published: 1986 - Page: 235

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 256

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 260

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 192

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 183

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 126

Questions and Answers - Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 2

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 126

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 116

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 27

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 98

Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 94

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 103

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 121

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 48

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 98

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 146

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 146

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 123

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List of South African Birds