Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus)

Identification & Behavior:~38.5 cm (15.2 in). The Black-necked Stilt has white underparts and black upperparts including the back of the neck, nape, and most of the head. It has very long red legs and a long and thin black bill. The sub-species H. m. melanurus averages taller and slightly larger. It has a white forehead and crown are white. It also shows white between the base of the neck and the back. It is similar to the Andean Avocet but is distinguished by having black on the neck and head and by having a straight bill.

Status: The Black-necked Stilt is common at coastal wetlands, but uncommon to rare in the Amazonian lowlands. It is rare in high Andean lakes at elevations of ~3500 m. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, Bo, Ch.

Name in Spanish: Cigüeñuela de Cuello Negro.

Sub-species: Black-necked Stilt (H. m. mexicanus) Statius Müller, PL, 1776. In most of Peru.
H. m. melanurus  Vieillot, 1817. In Amazonia and also along the coastal lowlands from La Libertad south.

Meaning of Name:  Himantopus: Gr. himas, himantus= strap or belt, pous=feet. mexicanus: from Mexico or originate in Mexico.

Go to the Family Recurvirostridae