Pied Stilt

Overview

The pied stilt, or white-headed stilt, is a shorebird in the family Recurvirostridae widely distributed across parts of Asia and Oceania. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List and is sometimes considered a subspecies of the black-winged stilt.

Identification

• Length of about 14 in (36 cm) with a wingspan of about 26.5 in (67 cm).
• Glossy greenish-black on the back of the head, neck, back, and upper wing surfaces; white remainder with grey-tinged tail feathers.
• Long, slender black beak with red irises and eyelids; long, thin pink legs with black claws.
• Emits a repeated yelping cry while flying, with legs trailing and swaying side-to-side.

Habitat

Resident in southern Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, most of Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea, with non-breeding populations across various other islands. Vagrants have been recorded in Japan and Christmas Island. The species inhabits wetlands and estuaries.

Diet

Feeds in shallow water by probing into the sediment with its beak. It largely consumes aquatic insects and small molluscs.

Did you know?

The pied stilt is particularly attracted to nesting locations near where the red duck-weed, Azolla rubra, flourishes. Parents sometimes feign a leg injury to draw intruders away from their chicks.