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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Recurvirostridae
  4. ›
  5. Recurvirostra
  6. ›
  7. Red-necked Avocet
Red-necked Avocet
Photo · (c) Rolf Lawrenz, some rights reserved (CC BY)

BirdUp · Species

Red-necked Avocet

Recurvirostra novaehollandiaeVieillot, 1816

Updated 21 March 2026

Origin: Native
Order
CHARADRIIFORMES
Family
Recurvirostridae
Genus
Recurvirostra

At a glance

The Red-necked Avocet is a large bird, about 40–48 cm long, native to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
40–48 cm
Origin
Native
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Very common
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Red-necked Avocet look like?

The Red-necked Avocet is a large bird, about 40–48 cm long and weighing 172–390 g.

The red-necked avocet also known as the Australian avocet, cobbler, cobbler's awl, and painted lady, is a wader of the family Recurvirostridae that is endemic to Australia and is fairly common and widespread throughout, except for the north and north east coastal areas of the country. Closely related to the stilts, it shares their fragile slender elegance, however the deep red head and neck distinguish them. It appeared on a 13 cent postage stamp in 1966.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
40–48 cm
Weight
172–390 g
Wingspan
75 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Red-necked Avocet?

The Red-necked Avocet is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Red-necked Avocet eat?

The Red-necked Avocet feeds on intertidal invertebrates and fish/invertebrates, usually foraging in flocks.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

3 photos

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Red-necked Avocet live in Australia?

The Red-necked Avocet is native to Australia, recorded across 75 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingAustralia (except north, Tasmania)

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Vagrant

8 regions recorded