Illustration of avocet
avocet
noun
av·o·cet
ˈa-və-ˌset 
: any of a genus (Recurvirostra) of rather large long-legged shorebirds with webbed feet and slender upward-curving bill
Examples of avocet in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Hikers there can spot wading birds like great blue herons and American avocets, find shells on the riverbanks, and wander the thick cottonwood galleries on their shores.
—
Adam Roy, Outside Online, 24 Apr. 2025
Herons, ospreys, black-necked stilts and American avocets.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
The avocet is one of the few species with an upturned bill.
—Ricardo Torres, Journal Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2024
The American avocet spends winter along the coast of North American, including Mexico, Florida, Texas and California.
—Ricardo Torres, Journal Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2024
The Tijuana River County Open Space Preserve is a wetland habitat that’s home to the American avocet (a large wading bird with a pink neck and blue legs), beavers, and unforgettable recreational opportunities.
—Outside Online, 9 Aug. 2022
Cape Cod: Reports continued to reflect some of the most unusual birds, including a magnificent frigatebird at First Encounter Beach in Eastham, a brown booby at Sandy Neck in Barnstable, and an American avocet at High Head in Truro.
—BostonGlobe.com, 4 Sep. 2021
Swans and 17 species of duck frequent Gillmor, which also provides nesting habitat for various shorebirds, such as the snowy plover, American avocet, Wilson’s phalarope, black-necked stilt, cinnamon teal and gadwall.
—Brian Maffly, The Salt Lake Tribune, 26 Dec. 2020
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, along with other partners, constructed mud islands within these managed ponds in 2010 for birds, like snowy plovers, stilts and avocets.
—Priyanka Runwal, New York Times, 12 Nov. 2019
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Adam Roy, Outside Online, 24 Apr. 2025
Herons, ospreys, black-necked stilts and American avocets.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
The avocet is one of the few species with an upturned bill.
—Ricardo Torres, Journal Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2024
The American avocet spends winter along the coast of North American, including Mexico, Florida, Texas and California.
—Ricardo Torres, Journal Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2024
The Tijuana River County Open Space Preserve is a wetland habitat that’s home to the American avocet (a large wading bird with a pink neck and blue legs), beavers, and unforgettable recreational opportunities.
—Outside Online, 9 Aug. 2022
Cape Cod: Reports continued to reflect some of the most unusual birds, including a magnificent frigatebird at First Encounter Beach in Eastham, a brown booby at Sandy Neck in Barnstable, and an American avocet at High Head in Truro.
—BostonGlobe.com, 4 Sep. 2021
Swans and 17 species of duck frequent Gillmor, which also provides nesting habitat for various shorebirds, such as the snowy plover, American avocet, Wilson’s phalarope, black-necked stilt, cinnamon teal and gadwall.
—Brian Maffly, The Salt Lake Tribune, 26 Dec. 2020
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, along with other partners, constructed mud islands within these managed ponds in 2010 for birds, like snowy plovers, stilts and avocets.
—Priyanka Runwal, New York Times, 12 Nov. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Avocet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/avocet. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
avocet
noun
av·o·cet
ˈav-ə-ˌset
: any of several rather large long-legged shorebirds with webbed feet and a slender bill that curves upward
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