Black-necked Stilt

More Bird Resources Shorebirds Types of Birds

The Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) is a medium sized and long legged shorebird that breeds in fresh and salt water locations along the West Coast, Gulf Coast and South Atlantic Coast.

Their long red legs and black and white bodies make easy to identify in the field.

They are fairly social birds and will nest in small colonies, with nests built on the ground. Both parents care for the young, and both are fairly defensive when intruders invade their nesting territory.

Like many shorebirds, black-necked stilts are opportunistic feeders, eating a variety of insects and aquatic organisms in their territory.

Although the Hawaiian population is conisdered imperiled, the continental population is considered fairly stable.

© 2004 Patricia A. Michaels