Black-Necked Stilt
Himantopus mexicanus
DescriptionThis is one of my favorite shorebirds. It's slender body and agile movements give the bird an air of elegance. The Stilt feeds on waterbugs and small crustaceans. Unfortunately, the number of Black-necked Stilts has declined due to hunting and habitat destruction.
Black upperparts, white underparts. Extremely long pink/red legs. Long, thin black bill. White patch above a red eye. Sexes similiar, but males are longer legged and slightly darker underneath. 13 to 16 inches in length.
Salt and freshwater marshes, coastal shores.
Nesting3-4 buff eggs with brown spots and an incubation period of 22-26 days. Fledging occurs 28-32+ days after hatching. The nests are shallow ground depressions lined with grass or shell fragments. This bird nests in loose colonies.
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