Zoo database

Pied avocet

Recurvirostra avosetta

Natural diet Pied avocet

The pied avocet is a carnivorous bird that feeds in shallow water. Most of their diet is made up of crustaceans, insects, worms, mollusks. Occasionally, they may consume small fish and plant matter.

Insects
Insects
Invertebrates / crustaceans
Invertebrates / crustaceans

Feeding advice Pied avocet

Feed quantity per day

5-10%

Sample percentage calculation

If an animal weighs 0,3 kg and eats 8% of its body weight, it will get
 
0,3 x 0,08 = 0,02 kg feed in total per day

Feed composition

10% Insects and other invertebrates
90% Concentrates

Proportions (fresh product)

0,1 x 0,02 kg = 2 g insects and other invertebrates
0,9 x 0,02 kg = 22 g concentrates

Diet Suggestions

Recommended

Concentrates

Variety of insects

Not recommended

Bread

Common diseases

An unbalanced diet may result in one of these more commonly occurring diseases/conditions:

  • Metabolic bone disease

Additional advice

  • Divide the “Feed quantity per day” over at least two feeding moments per day.
  • Avoid feeding bread as the high starch content may cause gastro-intestinal disturbances.
  • Stimulate foraging behaviour by using feeding puzzles and scatter feeding (read more about feed enrichment and foraging behaviour).