Avocets & Stilts (Recurvirostridae)
Species
These are medium-sized black-and-white birds, with long legs and fine bills which are pointed in the stilts and uptuned in the avocets. Both are highly specialised feeders which show a preference for more saline habitats. Stilts feed by picking insects from water which is too deep for other waders. Avocets feed with a scything motion that sifts crustaceans from soft mud in shallow water.
 
There are thirteen species worldwide, of which two breed in Europe.
 
Species seen but not photographed:
  • Pied Stilt: New Zealand (November 2001)