The American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana) has to be one of my favorite birds of Arizona. Its graceful wading and foraging, up-curved bill, and and contrasting colors are truly unique.

Both photos here were taken at the Gilbert Water Ranch in Gilbert, AZ (metro Phoenix) in March a few years back. Most years you can locate a few pairs of Avocets at the GWR in the late winter and early spring, and some years we are lucky enough to see them raise young.