Photo: Till Niermann / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Andean Avocet
Recurvirostra andina
Andean Avocet (Recurvirostra andina) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of South America.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Andean Avocet (Recurvirostra andina) is a member of the Recurvirostridae family found in South America. Adults weigh 361 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Charadriiformes
- Family Recurvirostridae Stilts, Avocets
- Genus Recurvirostra
- Species andina
Where it lives
Montane central Peru, Bolivia, northern Chile and far northwestern Argentina
Quick facts
- Weight
- 361 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Recurvirostridae
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Andean Avocet hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Andean Avocet is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Andean Avocet (Recurvirostra andina) is a species of bird in the Recurvirostridae family, part of the order Charadriiformes. Its range spans South America. Its distribution covers SA montane c Peru, Bolivia, n Chile and far nw Argentina.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 361 g, with a wing length of about 23.9 cm and a tail of around 9.1 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 709,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Andean Avocet?
The Andean Avocet is a large bird that weighs around 361 g.
Where does the Andean Avocet live?
The Andean Avocet is found across South America with a range covering SA montane c Peru, Bolivia, n Chile and far nw Argentina, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Andean Avocet belong to?
The Andean Avocet (Recurvirostra andina) belongs to the Recurvirostridae family, in the order Charadriiformes.
What does the Andean Avocet eat?
The Andean Avocet hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Andean Avocet migrate?
The Andean Avocet is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Andean Avocet endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Andean Avocet make?
1 real field recording of the Andean Avocet — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Andean Avocet's range?
The Andean Avocet has a mapped global range of about 709,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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