Birdsong field guide
Andean Avocet
Recurvirostra andina
The Andean Avocet is a specialized high-altitude shorebird known for its stark black-and-white plumage and distinctive upturned bill. It is a quintessential resident of the harsh, saline environments of the South American Altiplano.
What it sounds like
High-pitched, clear 'wheet' or sharp 'click' notes, often repeated in rapid succession when agitated.
Reference call, compare with what you heard
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Field notes
- It is the only avocet species characterized by yellow or orange-yellow irises rather than dark eyes.
- Unlike most shorebirds, this species lacks a hind toe (hallux), a morphological trait shared with its genus relatives.
- It lives at extreme elevations, typically occurring between 3,100 and 4,800 meters above sea level.
- The species is non-migratory, though it may move to slightly lower elevations if high-altitude lakes freeze over.
- It employs a unique scything motion, swinging its bill side-to-side through shallow water to filter out small crustaceans and aquatic insects.
Habitat
Hypersaline lakes, alkaline lagoons, and high-altitude marshes within the Puna zone.
Range
High Andes of Peru, Bolivia, northern Chile, and northwestern Argentina.
Similar & commonly confused birds
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