057 - Stilts, Avocets (Recurvirostridae)

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Avocets and stilts range in length from 30 to 46 centimetres (12 to 18 in) and in weight from 140 to 435 grams (4.9 to 15.3 oz); males are usually slightly bigger than females. All possess long, thin legs, necks, and bills. The bills of avocets are curved upwards, and are swept from side to side when the bird is feeding in the brackish or saline wetlands they prefer. The bills of stilts, in contrast, are straight. The front toes are webbed, partially in most stilts, fully in avocets and the Banded Stilt, which swim more. The majority of species' plumage has contrasting areas of black and white, with some species having patches of buff or brown on the head or chest. The sexes are similar.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recurvirostridae

Cladorhynchus leucocephalus - Banded Stilt

Himantopus himantopus - Black-winged Stilt

Himantopus leucocephalus - White-headed Stilt

Recurvirostra novaehollandiae - Red-necked Avocet

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