Michael Pohlod, age 13, of Phillips, Wisc., for his question:
What kind of a bird is the avocet?
Most of the waders and waterfowl are elegant birds. Some bird experts claim that the avocet is the most graceful member of this group. At one time the big beauty was common over most of North America, but nowadays he pays only rare visits east of the Mississippi. But for those who know where to look, he still may be found in the western prairies and sometimes in Southern Canada.
At certain times of the year this elegant bird visits the Great Salt Lake of Utah. He also may be found in other salty lakes and ponds throughout the western prairies. The handsome fellow has a body 18 to 20 inches in length. Like most water birds he stands on long thin legs, and his body is neatly clothed in gleaming plumage. His tail and part of his back are satiny white. His wide wings are tipped and patched with shining black.
The head and rather thick neck of the avocet are tinted a dusky red color and his long legs are grayish brown. If it were not for his outstanding bill he might be mistaken for one of his close cousins, the stilts. However, his long slim bill is turned slightly upward toward the tip. The long slim bill of the stilt is straight.
Watching the habits of the avocet is a worthwhile pastime for any nature lover. However, this bird spying must be done with great care. He is a bold fellow and very ready to attack any man or beast that dares to approach his nest. When searching for food, the big beauty dips his bill down into the shallow water and wades forward. With each step he sways his amazing bill from side to side, gathering up crustaceans and other small water dwellers. From time to time he pauses to gulp down a mouthful of these morsels.
At courting time, a group of male and female avocets perform an elaborate dance, often around a large stone, and then each pair of birds builds a simple ground nest in a shallow hole. The four freckled eggs laid by the hen must be incubated for 23 days, and both parents take turns on the nest. The fluffy youngsters start life with straight bills and leave the nest soon after hatching. The mother and father, however, spend the next 11 days protecting and educating their precious brood.
The American avocet often nests in Southern Canada and flies south to spend the winter season in Guatemala. Another avocet makes his home in parts of Europe, Asia and Africa. Another is found in Australia and still another in South America. The differences between the four species are very slight, and those who know them agree that the avocet of North America is the biggest and the most beautiful of the clan.