Red-necked AvocetRed-necked Avocet – flight Red-necked Avocet – foraging Red-necked Avocet – reflections

The Red-necked Avocet (Recurvirostra novaehollandiae) is a distinctive shorebird endemic to Australia and is the only avocet species in Australia. It has dark chestnut red head and neck, a characteristic thin, upturned beak, white eye-rings and pale bluish long legs. The flight feathers are black with parallel stripes on the back.

Except in the north and north east coastal areas of Australia, the Red-necked Avocets are fairly widespread, being found in a variety of wetlands, although they do prefer saline water and have been seen congregating in large numbers in shallow inland lakes and flooded saltpans such as the Coorong.

Common name
Australian Avocet, Painted Lady, Cobbler, Cobbler’s Awl.

Stilts are often seen in the company of the Red-necked Avocet (as Black-necked Stilt seen here).


  • Scientific classification
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Aves
  • Order: Charadriiformes
  • Family: Recurvirostridae
  • Genus: Recurvirostra
  • Species: Recurvirostra novaehollandia

Red-necked AvocetRed-necked Avocet – flight Red-necked Avocet – foraging Red-necked Avocet – reflections

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