avocet

Short definition: The word avocet refers to a graceful shorebird with long legs and a slender upcurved bill, often sweeping its bill side to side in shallow water, known for striking black-and-white plumage and elegant movement.

Looking for a clear and natural explanation of the word avocet? The word avocet is mainly used in birdwatching, wildlife studies, and nature writing. It refers to a graceful shorebird known for its long legs and distinctive upturned bill. You will hear it in discussions about wetlands, salt flats, and coastal habitats. Although not common in daily conversation, it appears often in field guides and documentaries. Below, each meaning is explained in a calm and natural way, with enough detail to feel clear, human, and informative.

avocet n. /ˈævəˌsɛt/

Forms: avocet, avocets
Related: shorebird n., wader n., wetland n.
Syllable: av-o-cet

  1. (Noun) A slender black and white shorebird with long legs and a thin upturned bill often seen wading in shallow water.

    An avocet is a wading bird recognized by its elegant body long pale legs and a distinctive upward curving bill which it sweeps from side to side in shallow wetlands lagoons and coastal flats to catch small aquatic creatures.

    The avocet moved gracefully through the shallow lagoon sweeping its curved bill through the water as it searched for tiny animals hidden below the surface.
    Birdwatchers gathered quietly to observe the avocet whose striking black and white feathers stood out clearly against the pale salt flat.
    During migration avocets often rest in groups on open wetlands where food is abundant and visibility is wide.

    Synonyms: shorebird, wading bird, wetland bird, long legged bird, coastal wader, lagoon bird, shallow water bird, elegant wader, migratory shorebird, marsh bird, tidal flat bird, aquatic feeder
    Antonyms: forest bird, tree dwelling bird, domestic bird, flightless bird, inland species, cage bird, raptor, seed eating bird, woodland bird, urban bird, non wading bird, landlocked species

An Explanation of the Word "avocet" in an Image

An avocet bird wading in calm shallow water, showing a thin upturned black bill, long bluish legs, white body, black wing patches, and a quiet wetland setting.
A clean wildlife photograph of an avocet standing in shallow water near a sandy shoreline, highlighting its slender upturned bill, long pale legs, and elegant black-and-white plumage.

Conversation Using the Word Avocet

This conversation takes place between two bird enthusiasts, Benjamin and Clara, at a coastal lagoon. It highlights the avocet's unique beak shape, feeding behavior, and conservation history.

Benjamin: Clara, look over there near the mudflat; I think that's a pied avocet elegantly sweeping the water.

Clara: Oh, the curve on that avocet's beak is incredible; it looks like it's bent upward on purpose.

Benjamin: That's its most famous feature; the avocet uses that upturned bill to scythe through the silt for small shrimp.

Clara: It moves so rhythmically—watching the avocet feed is almost like watching a professional dancer at work.

Benjamin: Did you know that the avocet is the emblem for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in the UK?

Clara: I didn't know that, but it makes sense because the avocet represents a great success story for habitat restoration.

Benjamin: Precisely, as the avocet had actually gone extinct as a breeding bird in England before making a miraculous comeback.

Clara: The black and white plumage makes the avocet stand out so clearly against the blue water of the lagoon.

Benjamin: It’s a very territorial bird too; just watch how that avocet warns off the nearby gulls when they get too close.

Clara: I see it now; the avocet is quite vocal when it wants to protect its specific feeding patch.

Benjamin: We should come back in the summer to see if the avocet chicks are out, as they are incredibly fluffy and cute.

Clara: I would love that; I could honestly spend the whole afternoon just observing a single avocet in the wild.

Phrases Containing the Word Avocet

The phrases below show how the word avocet is used to describe elegant waders, upturned bills, and sweeping feeding motions in shallow water.

American avocet

A well-known avocet species.

The American avocet swept its bill side to side while walking through shallow water.

Avocet sweeping its bill

An avocet feeding technique.

The avocet sweeping its bill stirred tiny creatures from the mud.

Avocet in shallow lagoons

An avocet living in calm waters.

An avocet in shallow lagoons moved gracefully through reflective pools.

Avocet with upturned bill

A defining physical feature.

The avocet with upturned bill was instantly recognizable.

Avocet behavior

The typical actions of avocets.

Avocet behavior is elegant, deliberate, and highly specialized.

Avocet feeding rhythmically

An avocet eating with steady motion.

The avocet feeding rhythmically moved its head in smooth arcs.

Avocet silhouette

The outline of an avocet.

The avocet silhouette showed long legs and a curved bill.

Avocet in early morning

An avocet active at dawn.

Seeing an avocet in early morning felt calm and peaceful.

Avocet flock

A group of avocets together.

An avocet flock fed together in shallow water.

Avocet nesting on salt flats

An avocet breeding in open areas.

The avocet nesting on salt flats relied on open space to spot predators.

Avocet flying gracefully

An avocet in flight.

The avocet flying gracefully showed bold wing patterns.

Avocet calling sharply

An avocet vocalizing strongly.

The avocet calling sharply alerted others nearby.

Avocet near wetlands

An avocet living close to water.

An avocet near wetlands fed along muddy edges.

Avocet resting on one leg

An avocet pausing activity.

The avocet resting on one leg looked completely relaxed.

Avocet across shallow flats

An avocet seen at a distance.

An avocet across shallow flats moved steadily.

Avocet in breeding season

An avocet active while nesting.

Avocet in breeding season defended its nest noisily.

Avocet watching the water

An avocet searching for prey.

The avocet watching the water paused between sweeps.

Avocet feeding quietly

An avocet eating calmly.

The avocet feeding quietly focused on tiny invertebrates.

Avocet pair

Two avocets together.

An avocet pair foraged side by side.

Familiar avocet

An avocet often seen in the same place.

The familiar avocet returned each season to the same lagoon.

Words Rhyme with avocet

set
get
met
net
pet
wet
yet
bet
let
debt
threat
jet
regret
forget
upset
sunset
target
market
trumpet
alphabet
cabinet
clarinet
coronet
silhouette
vignette
cassette
rosette
quartet
duet
offset
POS: Noun  Category: Birds, Animals