The Black-Necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) is an elegant aquatic bird in the Americas and Hawaii. Its bright pink legs are proportionately longer than any other bird except the flamingos. They measure around 13 to 17 inches (33 to 43 cm), have a wingspan of 27 to 29 inches (68 to 75 cm), and weigh approximately 5 to 7 ounces (140 to 176 grams).
They prefer to live in shallow mudflats, ponds, and marshes and enjoy a diet that consists of aquatic invertebrates, such as worms, mollusks, shrimp, and crayfish. They also eat various insects like beetles and dragonfly nymphs.
The black-and-white plumage sometimes displays variations among males and females. eBird says males can exhibit a glossier black above, while females are slightly browner.
You can hear this bird’s calls in eBird.
That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you might also be interested in others featuring the Bird of the Week, the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, Port Aransas, Texas, and Wildlife. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
Posted for I.J. Khanewala’s Birds of the Week Invitation CXVII.
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Samiran Mandal
Lovely Bird
Egidio Leitao
Thank you.
SoyBend
They are one of my favorites, Egidio! I liked your last picture. You captured its elegance.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Siobhan.
Amy
I saw this bird in S. Calif. very cute!
Egidio Leitao
They are cute indeed.
Writing to Freedom
What a cute guy. I hope to meet one! 😀
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the reply. Port Aransas is the place to go for them.
Writing to Freedom
Good to know. Thanks Egidio!
norasphotos4u
Gorgeous bird – wonderful photos
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Nora. It was kind of you to drop this note.
margaret21
I love a stilt, though we don’t see yours here. Or in fact ANY stilts in the waters near where I live.
Egidio Leitao
I’m glad it was something new for you. Thanks for writing.
Tra Italia e Finlandia
Proprio aggraziato. Elegante.
Egidio Leitao
Grazie.
bushboy
A lovely bird and great photos. It looks half asleep
Egidio Leitao
I thought the same about the first photo. Thanks, Brian.
philosophy through photography
Beautifully described!
Their elegance and those bright pink stilts make them the runway models of the wetlands.
Loved the detail on their diet and subtle plumage differences—nature never skips the fine print.
Egidio Leitao
Nature is amazing indeed. Thanks for the comments.
philosophy through photography
Welcome, Egidio.
shoreacres
I often see these at the Brazoria Wildlife Refuge, and in certain areas on Galveston Island when conditions are right. Have you seen their babies? They’re adorable: little fuzzy golf-ball sized bodies atop legs that are proportionally as long — and my goodness, they can run!
Egidio Leitao
I don’t think I’ve ever seen their babies. They are cute birds.
Anne Sandler
Nice Egidio!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Anne.