Nature Field Guide
Black-necked Stilt
- Spanish name
- Cigüeñuela cuellinegra
- Scientific name
- Himantopus mexicanus
What Do Pico & Tati Think?
Those pink legs look almost too long for Pico’s page. Tati turns the journal upright to draw the whole bird.
Species overview
About the Black-necked Stilt
Black-necked Stilts have exceptionally long pink legs, a thin straight dark bill and contrasting black-and-white plumage. They pick small prey from shallow water and mud. Costa Rica has resident breeding populations, unlike many northern-breeding shorebirds. Wetland water levels change where the birds can feed, so a familiar site may look different on the next visit.
Identification
Key Features of the Black-necked Stilt
Very long pink legs
Thin straight black bill
White underparts with dark back and hindneck
Habitat & range
Scan exposed shoreline feeding areas and nearby resting places with binoculars. The tide changes which flats are available; remain on a safe established route.
Local observations
Resident breeding populations are strongest around the Gulf of Nicoya, with seasonal concentrations in Tempisque and Rio Frio. Other lowland regions have smaller, sporadic populations. A regional match does not imply the same abundance everywhere. Oceanic Pacific: accidental visitor in the official Isla del Coco checklist, rather than ordinary year-round habitat.
When to observe
Resident populations occur in suitable habitat. Look during permitted daylight visiting hours; feeding, resting and visibility depend on the site, weather and water levels.
Conservation & care
Give feeding and resting birds space. If a bird stops feeding, repeatedly looks at you or moves away, increase your distance. Keep dogs away from flocks, avoid playback and feeding, and leave nests and natural shoreline debris undisturbed.
Observation activity
Compare the drawn leg length with the body length. Keep the observation on paper rather than walking into the wetland.
Explore by location
Caribbean · Central Pacific · Guanacaste · Northern Plains · Oceanic Pacific · Puntarenas & the Gulf Islands · South Pacific