I’ve spent many, many hours watching and photographing feeding avocets and have never once seen one eat a fish or even attempt to catch one that I was aware of. Until yesterday.
American Avocet feeding on fish at Bear River MBR
While at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge I photographed this avocet catching, manipulating and finally swallowing a fish. I know that this behavior is not unheard of as Birds of North America Online (BNA) states that this species sometimes eats fish and my friend Dave Sparks once posted an avocet with a fish on an online critique forum. However, for me it was something new and unique and worthy of a post here.
Ron
Ron,
This was awesome behavior to see, glad we stopped and photographed this avocet or we wouldn’t have seen it!
Ron, Nice behavior captured. I read some of your blog and it’s very interesting. I agree with your field ethics. I’ll be back to read some more….