Identification Photos: Black Necked Stilt, Himantopus mexicanus: The Black Necked Stilt is a member of the Recurvirostridae Family. It is very abundant along most West Coast wetlands at certain times of the year. The Black Necked Stilt is a medium sized bird with body lengths of 14 to 16 inches, weighing up to one-half pound. It has wingspans of up to 28 inches.

The Black Necked Stilt has a black shiny back and wings with a white breast that is accentuated by long red legs. The beak is long, black, and slightly recurved with a 2 to 3-inch bill. The tail is pale gray.

A key to identification of the Black Necked Stilt is the white spot above the eye (as pictured below). The two sexes are similar, but the females have brown tinges on the back and slightly shorter legs.

Due to this unique appearance it is unlikely that the Black Necked Stilt can be confused with any other species. The Black Necked Stilt migrates short to medium distances, being found as far north as coastal Oregon in summer and at points south of the extreme southern United States in winter. It travels northward from April to May and southward from August to September. In both directions the Black Necked Stilt makes prolonged stops en route so at times it is difficult to determine if it is coming or going.

In Mexico's Baja California peninsula the Black Necked Stilt is found in abundance on both coasts of the Sea of Cortez. It is also a year-round resident along both coasts of mainland Mexico.

When undisturbed the Black Necked Stilt wades through shallow water with grace. When disturbed and agitated it becomes highly territorial, aggressive, yaps incessantly, dives at predators, and feigns mortal injuries. This is especially true during nesting periods.

The Black Necked Stilt forages by probing and gleaning in mudflats, lakeshores, and coastal lagoons, seeking out arthropods, crustaceans, mollusks, and small fish. It roosts and nests along lake shores and islands surrounded by shallow water.

The Black Necked Stilt is monogamous, with pair bonds maintained for one season. Mating occurs between May and August with peak activity in June. Nests are semi-colonial and spaced approximately 60 feet apart, being scattered in loose clusters placed in grassy areas directly on the ground at very low elevations. The Black Necked Stilt normally nests within 1 kilometer of a feeding location. Nest integrity can be adversely affected by rising water levels. The clutch size is normally three to five eggs that are incubated by both the male and female for 25 days. The hatchlings are capable of swimming within two hours of birth, with all chicks departing the nest within 24 hours of the last hatch. The chicks are independent feeding on their own.

The average lifespan of an adult Black Necked Stilt is 10 years. However, there is very high mortality in the first year of life due to attacks by nest and cradle robbers which include falcons and related shore birds. Current populations of the Black Necked Stilt are estimated to be 25,000 individuals found west of the Rockies in North America with populations increasing. From a conservation perspective it is not considered to be of concern.

Black Necked Stilt, Himantopus mexicanus: A winter visitor to the Los Cabos area, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Photo taken in December 2007 in the San Jose River Lagoon. Photo courtesy of Carol Snow. Description courtesy of John Snow.