Adult pied avocet are easily be identified by its black and white (pied) plumage, red eyes and upturned black bill.

This species occurs from Africa and the Palearctic through to Mongolia and China. In southern Africa this species can either be resident, nomadic or a partial migrant. The movement of this species is related to rainfall. The southern African population is estimated to be 10 000-20 000 birds.

They occur in a variety of water bodies such as wetlands, commercial saltpans, saltmarshes and sewerage works. These sociable birds can be found at any time of the year along the Breede River Estuary foraging and roosting in small groups.

The age at first breeding for this bird is 2-3 years old. They are monogamous birds and can be solitary nesters or nest in loose colonies of up to 100 pairs. The nest is built by both male and female birds, but is started by male. A scrape is made in damp or dry ground and untidily lined with scraps of vegetation, feathers and shells. Laying dates for eggs is year-round in the Western Cape with a peak between June and October. The pied avocet will lay between 1-4 eggs that are incubated for 22-27 days. Both parents look after the chicks which fledge after 26-28 days. The young birds stay with their parents well after the fledging date.

The pied avocet feeds by eyesight and touch. The most important prey includes crustaceans and chironomid larvae (fly larvae) with small fish also taken. They feed during the day and at night

Oldest recorded bird 24 years and 6 months. No geographical variation and birds across entire range look the same.