Himantopus leucocephalus Gould, 1837

Size

The pied stilt, Himantopus leucocephalus, grows to about 14 inches (36 cm) in length, with a wingspan of approximately 26.5 inches (67 cm).

Plumage Coloration

The back of its head and neck, its back, and the upper surfaces of its wings are glossy greenish-black. The undersides of its wings are solid black, and the rest of its plumage is white, except for its tail feathers which have a grey tinge.

Limb and Beak Features

It has long, thin pink legs, and black claws on its toes. Its long slender beak is black, while its irises and eyelids are red.

Resident Distribution

The pied stilt is a resident species in southern Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, most of Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea.

Non-breeding Distribution

It has non-breeding populations in Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Brunei, Palau, South Kalimantan, West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara, East Timor, and New Guinea.

Vagrant Occurrence

It occurs as a vagrant in Japan and Christmas Island.

Feeding Behavior

This is a gregarious waterbird that feeds in shallow water, probing sediment with its beak. In New Zealand, it sometimes forms mixed flocks with the black stilt Himantopus novaezelandiae. Its diet consists largely of aquatic insects and small molluscs.

Flight Characteristics

When it flies, it trails its legs behind it, which tend to sway side to side, and it gives off a repeated yelping cry.

Breeding Season and Nest Site Selection

The pied stilt breeds in spring, and chooses nesting sites on sand or shingle near an estuary, beside a dried-up riverbed, on a flat stretch of coast, or in a grassy field near the sea. It is particularly attracted to locations where the red duck-weed Azolla rubra grows well.

Nest Construction and Egg Laying

It builds its nest in a shallow depression or scrape in the ground, and usually lays four ovoido-conical eggs. The eggs are yellowish-brown, irregularly dappled with dark blotches and spots.

Nest Camouflage and Parental Response

The nest is hard to locate because the eggs are well-camouflaged, but parent birds reveal its location by flying in circles above the area while calling out in distress.

Chick Behavior

Chicks can leave the nest almost immediately after hatching. They are difficult to spot because their downy camouflaged plumage blends into the environment, and they freeze when they sense danger.

Anti-predator Behavior

A parent will sometimes feign a leg injury to draw intruders away from the chicks.