Surfin'

These are American Avocets in the surf along the coast of The Gulf of Mexico at Galveston Island, Texas. Early in the morning or late in the evening you can often find a large number of them grouped together feeding in the surf.

The Avocet is a delicate-looking, but tough bird. They have been know to strike back at predators, including raptors such as the Northern Harrier. Chicks leave the nest within 24 hours after hatching. Day-old avocets can walk, swim, and even dive to escape predators.

In England and Europe I believe you see its cousin, the Pied Avocet.