The American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana) is a large shorebird breeding around suitable habitats in south-central North America including southern parts of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. They weigh between 275 and 350 g and have long bluish legs, a long neck, a very long, up-curved, black bill, a black and white pattern on upperparts, rusty coloured head and neck, and white underparts. American Avocets are strongly associated with large wetlands in arid regions of western North America, which fluctuate widely in water level and are often associated with salt-rich soils. Avocets are noted for their intense antipredator behaviour, which varies between deceptive and aggressive displays. 

Reference

Robinson JA, oring LW, Skorupa JP, Boettcher R: American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana). In: The Birds of North America Online. Edited by Poole A. Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; 1997.