Avocet Vs Greenshank: Key Differences Explained

It can often be difficult to identify various birds from a distance. This can make it hard to tell the difference between one species and another especially if you are a fairly long way away.

If you’re observing birds by a large body of water for instance, you might have trouble recognising individual bird traits. However, there are some species that are easily recognisable making telling them apart quite a simple task.

In many ways, this is true of the avocet and the greenshank. And in this article we’ll be looking at those differences so that you can easily tell the difference when out in the field bird watching.

Keep reading to find out more.

Key Takeaways

• Avocets are quite a bit larger than greenshanks in both size and wingspan
• Greenshanks have green/yellow legs whereas avocets legs are a pale blue colour
• Avocets have a black cap that extends down their neck, a white body with distinctive black marking on their backs
• Greenshanks have a dark grey back with a white belly 
• Avocets have a black upturned bill whereas greenshanks have a grey/green upturned bill with a black tip

What Is The Difference Between An Avocet And A Greenshank?

To the untrained eye, and from a large distance, it might be difficult to tell these two magnificent wading birds apart. However, there are enough differences to make identification easy once you’re aware of them.

These differences include;

Visual Differences

Although relatively alike when seen from a distance, there are a number of visual differences between avocets and greenshanks that can help differentiate between these birds.

Avocets have a body that is around 50% larger than that of the greenshank. They also have wings that are considerably larger. Plus avocets are much heavier than greenshanks which is apparent in their overall body size.

However, it’s their feathers, legs and bill that really show the differences between these two species. 

Greenshanks have a dark grey back with a white belly whereas avocets have a black cap that extends down their neck, a white body with distinctive black marking on their backs.

Avocets have long slender upturned black bills. Whereas the bill of the greenshank also has a long slender upturned bill but it’s a grey/green colour at the base ending with a black tip.

Greenshanks legs and feet are a pale green/yellow. Whereas the feet and legs of the avocet are pale blue.

Differences In Habitat

In the UK the habitat and distribution of these wading birds can be a large help for identification purposes. During summer months, greenshanks are found on the bogs and moorland of Scotland.

During their migration period however, they are found all across the UK on freshwater lakes, marshes and around coastal wetlands.

Avocets are typically found in the south east and south west of England. However some avocets have also taken to breeding close to inland waterways and freshwater marshland.

But the best place to see avocets in the UK is still around coastal freshwater marshland.

Nests & Eggs

In the UK greenshanks breed on boggy moors and peatlands in Scotland. The male will build a number of scrape nests near solid objects like rocks or trees in marshy areas.

They line each nest with local vegetation and feathers and the female will then select her preferred nest and lay her eggs. She will lay around 3 to 4 eggs usually in May or early June.

Both parents incubate the eggs and once the chicks hatch they are led to a body of water close by, which could be up to 2 kilometres away. Once they reach the water, the adults feed their chicks on various invertebrates. By mid July, the chicks, along with the adults will move away from the breeding grounds.

Avocets prefer shallow coastal lagoons along the south east and south west coast of the UK. They also make a series of scrape nests from which the female selects the one she prefers.

She will lay anywhere between 3 to 5 eggs which are incubated by both parents. Like greenshanks, avocet chicks leave the nest after around 1 to 2 days and start learning to feed themselves in the closest body of water.

Greenshank eggs are a pale buff colour with dark brown spots or patches and are around 51 x 34 mm in size.. Avocet eggs are very similar to the eggs of the greenshank with a size of 46 x 30 mm. 

Both species’ eggs offer a good camouflage when laid in the scrape nests. They blend into the surrounding ground especially if seen from above.

Bird Calls

The call of the greenshank is very distinctive and consists of a quick series of 3 short flute-like notes. The sound is often described as “teu, teu, teu”. They use this call extensively during flights and when in the wetlands.

The call of the avocet is a series of high-pitched repetitive notes and is commonly heard when nesting, flying, during the breeding season as well as an alarm call.

Size & Weight

Of the two species, the avocet is the larger bird with a length of around 41 to 45 cm and a wingspan of around 76 to 80 cm. Whereas the greenshank is around 32 cm in length with a wingspan of around 69 cm.

Overall, the avocet is the heavier of the two as well. Weighing in at around 255 to 290 g. Whereas the greenshank weighs around 190 g. This means the smallest avocet can weigh more than the average greenshank.

Where Can These Birds Be Seen In The UK?

Both greenshanks and avocets can be seen in the UK throughout all months of the year. However, you’re far more likely to see greenshanks in Scotland during the breeding season as they tend to only venture further south after the breeding season.

Avocets are most likely to be seen along the east coast during the breeding season and southern estuaries and mudflats after the breeding season.

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Frequently Asked Questions