Black-necked Stilt - Himantopus mexicanus
Black-necked Stilt, In Shallow Water - Hinatopus mexicanus
General Description
Black-necked Stilts are a tall, slender wader with a long, straight, slender bill, black (male) or brownish (female) upperparts, white underparts, very long red or pink legs and feet, and a white spot above the eye. Immatures have buffy edges on the dark feathers of the upperparts.
Diagnostic Characteristics
This species is unmistakable.
Distribution
Montana Range
Migration
Extreme migration dates in Montana are April 12, 1985 at Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge (K. Dubois) and September 9, 1995 at Helena Valley Reregulating Reservoir (G. Holton).
Habitat
In Montana, Black-necked Stilts nest in medium to large wetland complexes of open marshes and meadows, often in alkali areas.
Food Habits
Diet consists of aquatic invertibrates and fish.
Ecology
A chick was killed by a California Gull at Freezeout Lake Wildlife Management Area on June 13, 1993 (M. Schwitters).
Reproductive Characteristics
One nest with 4 eggs was reported from Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge on May 14, 1977. The nest is a simple scrape located on the ground, often in a somewhat or completely open area. The nest is typically found near the edge of the water; the nest bottom may be wet.