Just 24 hours of after the last egg hatches, American avocet parents lead their chicks to a "nursery" area where thick reeds provide protection and food. – – Image # DSC_9772 – – – – (Keywords: American avocets nest on the refuge, nesting in colonies with stilts and killdeer. Within 24 hours after the last chick hatches, the parents take the babies to a safer "nursery" area where thick reeds provide protection.)