Black-necked Stilt

Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus)
Zanco cuello-negro - en Español
Species Code: HIME

Description: The Black-necked Stilt is a medium-sized shorebird with a black needle-like bill, black or dark brown upperparts, and a white breast. They have long, thin red legs, and a long neck.

Calls: A sharp yipping. Given continuously when disturbed.

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Range / Habitat: Black-necked Stilts are found on the margins of shallow inland lakes and ponds. They also also use wetlands with more emergent vegetation such as flooded fields. Black-necked Stilts may visit coastal mud flats during migration.

Prior to 1973, the Black-necked Stilt was not known to breed in Washington. A pair in 1973 in Grant County provided the first nesting record for Washington followed by five more pairs in 1977. According to some, these initial records corresponded with dry years in southwestern states, which forced the stilts north to Washington where they have been established locally.

During the breeding season, Black-necked Stilts are scattered in small colonies from Potholes Reservoir in central Washington north to Okanogan County. They are occasionally seen in western Washington in spring (April to May).

Diet: Black-necked Stilts most often consume aquatic invertebrates. They also eat small fish, tadpoles, and seeds of aquatic plants.

Behavior: Black-necked Stilts are gregarious birds. They roost in small groups, but spread out while foraging.

Black-necked Stilt adults will participate jointly in anti-predator displays. The anti-predator display called 'the popcorn display' consists of a group of adults circling around a ground predator and hopping side to side while flapping their wings. Black-necked Stilts often call loudly and incessantly when agitated by an animal in their territory.

Nesting: Both male and female choose the nest site, which is often located on a small island in the marsh. The nest, a shallow depression, is scraped by one of the birds. They use plant material to build up the nest.

The female typically lays four eggs. Both parents incubate and care for young. Pairs normally have one brood per season.

The precocial chicks are able to leave the nest within 1-2 hours of hatching. Family groups still remain together after the young can fly.

Did you know?

• The Black-necked Stilt uses an anti-predator display called 'the popcorn display' where a group of birds hop around the predator while flapping their wings.
• Black-necked Stilts like to eat aquatic invertebrates.
• The precocial chicks are able to leave the nest within 1-2 hours of hatching.

Black-necked Stilt

More information: BirdWeb: Black-necked Stilt     All About Birds: Black-necked Stilt