There are several varieties of the closely related large birds called stilts and avocets. These are among those with the longest legs in the world. The Creator gave them these long legs for wading in marshes and swamps and along ocean shores while searching for insects, small fish and other underwater food. These birds often nest near each other and get along quite well.
They do have some differences. An avocet has three partly webbed toes and a smaller unwebbed toe behind each foot, whereas a stilt’s foot has only three unwebbed toes. Also, the stilt’s eighteen-inch-long narrow beak is straight, and the avocet’s curves upward.
An avocet’s body is black and white on top and solid white underneath, with a tan head and neck. The American black-necked stilt is typical of other family members, with glossy black covering the top of its head, long neck, wings and tail, but otherwise almost entirely white. Its beak is a combination of dark pink and black.
Before nesting, these both follow the usual custom of birds everywhere-the male goes through a ritual. The avocet gets the attention of a female sitting on the shore by wading out in the water where he crouches, leaps and dances with his wings wide-spread. This seems to impress her, and when he comes ashore they build a nest. The male stilt does much the same but adds another feature to his display. He playfully sprays the female with water thrown by his strong wings. Apparently impressed, when he comes ashore they will build a nest together.
The nests of these two related birds are very similar and are always on the ground, on bare sand, on mud flats, or occasionally on a grassy spot. Sometimes they are built in the open, but more often under a low bush. Soon three or four eggs appear, with the pale-yellow eggs of the stilts having speckled dark marks, and the olive-colored eggs of the avocets having scattered brown and black spots.
It is interesting to see several of these birds, each standing on just one leg with the other leg drawn up and completely hidden under its wing feathers. You would think a puff of wind would blow them over or at least cause them to put the other foot down. However, their foot and leg muscles are strong, and they may stay in that position for long periods of time.
As we consider all the interesting living things throughout the world, let us always remember that they did not just happen to be here. The opening Bible verse clearly informs us that the Lord God is the Creator, and He found pleasure in creating them and watches over them, just as He watches over us night and day.
ML-06/05/2005