Black-necked Stilt Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesBlack-necked Stilt
Adult (Black-necked)
Tall and lanky shorebird with a delicate-looking body. Black above and white below with pink legs.
© Melissa James / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, November 18, 2017Adult (White-backed)
Lanky, delicate looking shorebird. Individuals in South America (White-backed) have a white collar across upper back that North American birds lack.
© Luke Seitz / Macaulay LibraryValparaíso, October 22, 2011Adult (Black-necked)
Forages in shallow water wetlands, picking the surface for small aquatic invertebrates and flies.
© Benjamin Clock / Macaulay LibraryLouisiana, June 16, 2010Adult (Hawaiian)
Resident individuals on the Hawaiian Islands have more black on the forehead and cheeks than individuals breeding in North America.
© Sharif Uddin / Macaulay LibraryHawaii, March 11, 2017Adult (Black-necked)
In flight, its long pink legs stick out far beyond the tail. Note black wings and a white V on the back.
© Ted Keyel / Macaulay LibraryTexas, December 30, 2019Juvenile (Black-necked)
Juveniles look similar to adults but are slightly browner with faint scalloping on the back and paler pink legs.
© Kevin Dailey / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, July 02, 2017Adult (Black-necked)
Tall and slender shorebird with pink legs and a thin black bill.
© Joshua Vandermeulen / Macaulay LibraryOntario, April 15, 2017Adult (Black-necked)
Found in shallow wetlands gracefully foraging for aquatic invertebrates. Note dainty appearance and pink legs.
© Levi Plummer / Macaulay LibraryArizona, September 21, 2019Adult (Black-necked)
Nests on the ground on matted vegetation, on small mounds above the water, or on floating mats of vegetation.
© Steve Calver / Macaulay LibrarySouth Carolina, June 13, 2017Adult (with American Avocet)
Found in shallow water wetlands often foraging with other Black-necked Stilts.
© Darren Clark / Macaulay LibraryIdaho, April 15, 2019Similar SpeciesAmerican Avocet
Nonbreeding
American Avocets are taller than Black-necked Stilts with a longer upturned bill. They also have a white patch on the wings while Black-necked Stilts have solid black wings.
© Paul Fenwick / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, October 03, 2016Similar SpeciesAmerican Avocet
Breeding adult
American Avocets are taller than Black-necked Stilts with a longer upturned bill. Breeding Avocets have a rusty-colored head and neck while Black-necked Stilts have a black-and-white head and neck.
© Joel Strong / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, June 24, 2016Species in This Family
Stilts and Avocets(Order: Charadriiformes, Family: Recurvirostridae)
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