AVOCETS, STILTS

Black-necked Stilt, Himantopus mexicanus

Family Recurvirostridae (Avocets, Stilts)

Size: 14"

Season: Year-round along the Gulf Coast, summer in northwestern Texas

Habitat: Shallow wetlands, marshes, lagoons

The Black-necked Stilt looks like a tiny body on stilts. It has extremely long, delicate red legs and a thin, straight, needlelike black bill. The wings and mantle are black, and the underparts and tail are white. The head is dark above, with a white patch above the eyes. The female has a slightly lighter, brownish back. In flight, the long legs dangle behind the bird. To forage, it strides along to pick small prey from the water or vegetation, and it may voice a strident, barking kek! in alarm. Stilts are also known to perform the broken wing or broken leg act to distract predators. The adult male is illustrated.