USS LCI(L)-653 was an LCI-351-class landing craft infantry built for the United States Navy during World War II.

She was named for the avocet, a long-legged, web-footed shore bird possessing a slender, up-curved bill, found in western and southern states.

Assigned to the Pacific during the last year of World War II, LCI(L)-653 served in the Philippines in the spring of 1945.

For less than 15 months, Avocet operated out of San Diego conducting experiments for the Naval Electronics Laboratory.

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.