Black-necked Stilt

Himantopus mexicanus

A black-and-white wading bird whose long pink legs are, for its size, longer than any bird's except a flamingo's.

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About the Black-necked Stilt

Black-necked stilts are 14 to 15 inches long and weigh 5 to 6 ounces. They are black above and white below, with a needle-like black bill and long pink legs. For their size, only flamingos have longer legs. They wade in mudflats, marshes, lagoons, salt ponds and rice fields, eating insects, small crustaceans, tadpoles, small frogs, snails and tiny fish.^[1]

Quick facts

Scientific name: Himantopus mexicanus^[1]
Size: 14 to 15 inches long; 28- to 30-inch wingspan.^[1]
Weight: 5 to 6 ounces.^[1]
Lifespan: About 20 years.^[1]
Diet: Insects, small crustaceans, tadpoles, small frogs, snails and tiny fish.^[1]
Habitat: Shallow wetlands, mudflats, mangroves, marshes, lagoons, salt ponds and rice fields.^[1]
Group life: Loose colonies of dozens of pairs. Most active at dawn and dusk.^[1]
Babies: 2 to 5 eggs, incubated by both parents.^[1]
Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN Red List, assessed 2025, as part of the black-winged stilt, Himantopus himantopus).^[2]

Fun facts

Only flamingos have longer legs for their body size.^[1]
Stilts mob predators with a hopping, flopping 'popcorn display.'^[1]
Stilts and avocets can produce hybrid 'avo-stilts.'^[1]

Vocabulary

wade: To walk through shallow water.
hybrid: The young of two different species or kinds.
colony: A large group of animals of one kind that live or nest together.
incubate: To keep eggs warm so they can hatch.
least concern: A conservation label meaning a species is widespread and not at risk of dying out soon.

See it in person

Smithsonian's National ZooWashington, D.C. · Bird HouseSee this animal on the zoo's website ↗

These zoos had this animal when we gathered our information, but animals sometimes move. Check the zoo's website or contact the zoo before you visit.

Sources

[1] Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute. “Black-necked stilt.” https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/black-necked-stilt (accessed 2026-10-08)
[2] IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. “Himantopus himantopus (Black-winged Stilt).” https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22727969/281850195 (accessed 2026-10-08)

Facts last checked 2026-10-08.

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