81 American Avocet

• This is a big water bird about 18 inches tall.  I has a unique curved bill for foraging under the water for food.   
• They are easily photographed, this guy was close to our home.
• During the breeding season the neck and breast are a cinnamon color.  Later the neck and breast will turn a pale blue grey.  The legs are the same blue grey where the nickname "Blue stockings" comes from.
• These birds also have webbed feet and can swim, dive and even tip upside down like marsh ducks.
• During courtship they will be seen crossing bills and draping their wings over each other like in a hug.  I like a good hug myself so why not.
• The nests are depressions in the sand or floating platforms.
• The parents aggressively protect their young from predators and stay with them until they can fly.