Pied Avocet
Recurvirostra avosetta
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Cordats)
- ClassAves (Aus)
- OrderCharadriiformes (Caradriformes)
- FamilyRecurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
- GenusRecurvirostra (Avocets)
- SpeciesRecurvirostra avosetta (Pied Avocet)
The pied avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta) is a species of wader in the Recurvirostridae family, the only member of the avocet genus Recurvirostra found in Europe, Africa, and Asia. This characteristic wader of coastal lagoons and marshes is easily recognisable by its long, upturned bill, long legs, and striking black-and-white plumage. Measuring approximately 40 cm (16 in) in length with a wingspan of about 70 cm (28 in), it is a relatively large species that feeds on various invertebrates in water and mudflats, captured using its distinctive bill. It typically nests in colonies of 10 to 70 pairs on islets or dikes near water, laying usually four eggs in a simple, shallow scrape in the sand. It is highly territorial when defending its chicks against conspecifics, or predators such as various raptors, corvids, and mammals. The pied avocet has a lifespan of about 20 years, with a record of 36 years. Wikipedia →
<5% of wildlife watchers report a Pied Avocet sighting in Tsavo East National Park, based on 7 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
Closest Relatives at Tsavo East National Park
Black-winged Stilt
Himantopus himantopus
Spur-winged Lapwing
Vanellus spinosus
Common Greenshank
Tringa nebularia
Little Stint
Calidris minuta
Crowned Lapwing
Vanellus coronatus
Black-headed Lapwing
Vanellus tectus
Common Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticula
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucos
Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopus
Crab-Plover
Dromas ardeola
Gull-billed Tern
Gelochelidon nilotica
Black-bellied Plover
Pluvialis squatarola
📅 Monthly Probability
☀️ When They're Spotted
Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)
Global Distribution
Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.
where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is) · parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there
Parks Where Found
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Pied Avocet in Tsavo East National Park?
About 0% of wildlife watchers report a Pied Avocet sighting in Tsavo East National Park, based on 7 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Pied Avocet in Tsavo East National Park?
November has the highest sighting rate for Pied Avocet in Tsavo East National Park in our monthly data.