Stilt Birds - The Black Necked Stilt

Category: Stilts
Family: Recurvirostridae
Scientific Name: Himantopus mexicanus
Length: 35 - 40 cm (13.7 - 15.7 in)

Stilts are medium-sized shore birds but are unmistakable due to their black and white plumage and exceptionally long legs. The sexes are similar.

The Black-necked Stitlt is an uncommon resident of Galapagos. It can be found in saline and freshwater habitats throughout the islands and breeds from December to June. This New World form is sometimes considered to be the same species as the Black-winged Stilt H. himantopus of the Old World.

Identification: A medium-sized, unmistakable wader with black wings, mantle, hindneck and crown: white under parts, rump and tail; and extremely long, pink legs which project well beyond the rip of the tail in flight. Sexes alike although females have brown cast to mantle.

Voice: Gives a range of high-pitched piping calls, including "kik, kik-kik..." , "kek" and "kee-ack".