American Avocet look-alikes

Key differences

The Black-necked Stilt has extremely long, thin, bright pink legs and a straight, needle-like black bill. Its plumage is also black and white, but the black extends further down the back and neck, and it lacks the rufous head/neck of breeding avocets or the gray head/neck of non-breeding avocets. The bill shape is the most obvious distinction.

Key differences

The Pied Avocet (found in Eurasia and Africa) is very similar in shape and bill structure. However, its plumage lacks the rufous or gray head/neck of the American Avocet. Instead, it has a white head and neck with a distinctive black cap and two black stripes running from the cap down the back of the neck and along the wings. The American Avocet has a solid black back and wings (except for the white secondary stripe).