Foraging American Avocet chick – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm with 1.4x TC, natural light
Three days ago I was tickled to finally see some American Avocet chicks on the marsh at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. I’ve been waiting to see these little puff balls this year! The first avocet chicks I saw were way too far away to take decent images of but later in the morning I noticed an adult acting defensive as it chased a killdeer so I immediately started looking for chicks in the area. First I spotted one, then two, then three chicks foraging in the mud and water. They weren’t easy to spot and they moved rather quickly amongst the dead vegetation.
I took quite a few images while trying to get one that was relatively out in the open. But then the adult avocets called out in alarm when a California Gull flew over two of the chicks ran towards the female and hid under her belly.
Male American Avocet guarding his chicks – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm with 1.4x TC, natural light
One of the chicks continued to forage and the male avocet took flight calling noisily the entire time. When the third chick started moving towards the female the other two chicks the male seemed to decrease his calls and came in for a landing. I think he did an excellent job of guarding his chicks from the air.
Oddly enough several Franklin’s Gull had flown over earlier and neither adult called out in alarm, they seem to be very well aware that the California Gulls are more of a danger to their chicks than the smaller Franklin’s Gulls.
It was great to see the avocet chicks.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my American Avocet photos plus facts and information about this species.
Wonderful flight shot as well as the image of the fluffy little one!
Of course they know which birds may constitute a threat to those adorable fluff balls. I suspect that birds NEVER have issues with bird identification.
So stinkin’ cute! And good for Dad being on patrol for the wayward chick. California Gulls can be real assholes. I’ve seen them steal food off a student’s plate — more than once — and occasionally circle back to leave a “tip.” Oh, the joys of being out on campus at lunchtime.
They, like all young, are so cute. I did not know they both incubate and are monogamous. thanks for the info.
Terrific post with good information and, as usual, fantastic photographs!
Avocets are so sleek looking.
Cute!! I will never forget visiting an Avocet nesting site in North Dakota, wonderful memories.
On top of the American Avocets being such striking birds, the chicks are puffballs of cuteness.