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Black-necked Stilt

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Adult (Black-necked)
Adult (White-backed)
Adult (Black-necked)

Black-necked Stilt by Dorian Anderson | Macaulay Library

Shorebirds

Black-necked Stilt

Himantopus mexicanus

ORDER: Charadriiformes
FAMILY: Recurvirostridae

HabitatMarshes
FoodAquatic invertebrates
NestingGround
BehaviorProbing
ConservationLow Concern

Basic Description

A striking black-and-white bird with very long, thin red legs, the Black-necked Stilt is found along the edges of shallow water in open country.

image of range map for Black-necked Stilt

Range map provided by Birds of North AmericaExplore Maps

Other Names

Cigüeñuela Cuellinegra (Spanish)
Échasse d'Amérique (French)

Cool Facts
- Five species of rather similar-looking stilts are recognized in the genus Himantopus. They have the second-longest legs in proportion to their bodies of any bird, exceeded only by flamingos.
- The Hawaiian subspecies of Black-necked Stilt has the black of its neck reaching much farther forward than the mainland forms. Habitat loss and hunting led to the decline in its numbers. It uses primarily the few freshwater wetlands found on the Hawaiian Islands.
- The oldest recorded Black-necked Stilt was at least 12 years, 5 months old. it was banded in Venezuela and found in the Lesser Antilles.

Compare with Similar Species

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American Avocet Nonbreeding is similar to Black-necked Stilt

American AvocetNonbreeding

American Avocet Breeding adult is similar to Black-necked Stilt

American AvocetBreeding adult

Species in This Family

Stilts and Avocets(Order: Charadriiformes, Family:Recurvirostridae)

Black-necked Stilt

Black-necked Stilt

American Avocet

American Avocet

Browse Species in This Family

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