My two favorite species at Henderson Bird Preserve are American avocets and black-necked stilts. Both are long-legged wading birds with delicate bills but the stilts’ bodies are so small and their legs so long that they look fragile.
When I visit Henderson in April the avocets and stilts have arrived from their wintering grounds and they’re courting. They fly by, ignoring me, so intent on their social interactions that I’m able to get quite close.
This video from Cornell Lab of Ornithology gives you an idea of what it’s like to be at the Bird Preserve on an April morning (though I’ve never encountered a flock as large as shown here). It perfectly captures the beauty and grace of the black-necked stilts.
I’m glad I came to Nevada to see them. And now I’m coming home.
(video from Cornell Lab of Ornithology)
What is is shorebird with the white head, blue-grey legs, and black-and-white winges which was in the flock of stilts. (The best look is at 2:47) Also, do avocets nest at Henderson or do they go further south or both? American avocets are gorgeous birds.
Whoops! It was an avocet in non-breeding. Should have guessed. Oh well. I don’t pay much attention to birds on the west cost while flipping through my bird book. That was supposed to be north in the previous reply. I have no idea what I was thinking. Probably wasn’t thinking at all!
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.