Bird
Black-necked Stilt
Himantopus mexicanusBlack-necked Stilts are elegant waders with extremely long pink legs, black upperparts, and white underparts. They pick small animals from shallow water and become loudly defensive around nests or chicks.
shorebirdshallow wetlandlong-legged
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyAquatic insects, small crustaceans, tadpoles
Predators
- gulls
- coyotes
- raccoons
ThreatsWetland loss, contaminated water, altered water levels, predators, and nesting disturbance
HabitatsShallow marshes, salt ponds, mudflats, flooded fields, and pond margins
Life spanOften several years, with some banded birds surviving beyond ten years
Classification
- OrderCharadriiformes
- FamilyRecurvirostridae
- GenusHimantopus
- SpeciesHimantopus mexicanus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Retreat if adults alarm-call or circle because nests may be nearby.
Responsible observation
- Identify: Look for impossibly long pink legs and crisp black-and-white plumage.
- Respect: Observe from firm ground outside nesting and feeding shallows.
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