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, 2010Not all videos have sound
Adult (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.
© Anonymous / 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, 2016Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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