Red-necked Avocet Shane Allwood originally shared: Red-necked AvocetMany species of shorebirds feed by probing the moist mud or sand, or pecking at its surface, but the Red-necked Avocet is different. Avocets have long and slender bills that are elegantly and unusually upcurved, and which are used to forage in the water of shallow wetlands. By sweeping the bill back and forth through the water in a scything motion, tiny aquatic invertebrates are caught with each sweep of the bill. The avocet apparently locates these insects and crustaceans by using its sense of touch. View full size (1721x1147)

via John Currin (JC's Nature) - Google+ Public Posts http://ift.tt/2rSgJYQ