Pied Avocet

Afrikaans name: Bontelsie

A stunning shot of a Pied Avocet in flight

Photo © Riaan van den Berg - Fotolia.com

Recurvirostra avosetta

The Pied Avocet is an elegant bird with its stunning black and white plumage and upturned bill.

It can be seen in many places in South Africa but it is particularly common in the western half of the country.

The Pied Avocet is normally found near water. It feeds on small crustaceans which it catches by swinging its bill from side to side. It does also occasionally eat fish.

Photo © Riaan van den Berg - Fotolia.com

They make their nest on the ground and lay up to 4 eggs. Both parents attend to the eggs and chicks.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	269	Recurvirostra avosetta
2nd	269	Recurvirostra avosetta
3rd	269	Recurvirostra avosetta
4th	269	Recurvirostra avosetta
5th	294	Recurvirostra avosetta
6th	294	Recurvirostra avosetta
7th	276	Recurvirostra avosetta

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	269	Avocet
2nd	269	Avocet
3rd	269	Avocet
4th	269	Avocet
5th	294	Avocet
6th	294	Avocet
7th	276	Pied Avocet

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	269	Bont-Elsie
2nd	269	Bont-Elsie
3rd	269	Bont Elsie
4th	269	Bont Elsie
5th	294	Bontelsie
6th	294	Bontelsie
7th	276	Bontelsie

References and further reading

World Birds - Author: Brian P. Martin - Published: 1987 - Page: 87

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 80

Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 42

Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 37

Wading Birds of the World - Revised edition - Author: Eric and Richard Soothill - Published: 1989 - Page: 306

The Coastal Guide of South Africa - Author: Jacana Media - Published: 2007 - Page: 100

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 110

Two Oceans - Author: Branch, Griffiths, Branch and Beckley - Published: 2010 - Page: 346

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 141

The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 19

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 122

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 160

Shorebirds - Author: P. Hayman, J. Marchant, T. Prater - Published: 1986 - Page: 235

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 256

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 158

SA 4X4 - Vol 24 No 10 - Author: - Published: 2016 - Page: 36

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 192

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 260

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 183

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 114

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 144

Questions and Answers - Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 2

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 126

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 126

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 116

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 98

Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 94

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 103

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 27

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 98

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 48

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 121

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 146

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 123

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 146

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds