 Avocet Wading bird about 15 to 18 in. long , related to the snipe and of the stilt. North and South America, Europe, and Australia have 1 species in each. The North American " Blue shanks", once ruthlessly hunted for food, is now rare east of the Mississippi. It's black and white wings and white body make it visible at a distance. Unlike most wading birds its front toes are webbed. By sweeping its long, thin, upwardly curved bill through shallow water and mud, it catches small water animals . chiefly insects , other insects are caught on the wing .
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