Black-necked Stilt
Himantopus mexicanus
Year-round along Pacific and Gulf coasts… Shallow freshwater and alkaline wetlands… Common Territorial display song
Learn to identify the Black-necked Stilt by ear. Master the "kip-kip-kip-kip…" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.
“kip-kip-kip-kip…”
What the Black-necked Stilt sounds like
Slender, black-and-white shorebird instantly recognizable by its extremely long pink legs and needle-thin bill. Often seen gracefully picking prey from the surface of shallow water or wading belly-deep while constantly calling to companions.
“kip-kip-kip-kip…”
How to tell it apart
Listen for:Rapid series of high, piping notes given during aerial displays over breeding territory. Often written as “kip-kip-kip-kip…”.
Don't confuse with:The American Avocet — upturned, slender bill
Where you'll hear it
Shallow freshwater and alkaline wetlands, salt ponds, flooded agricultural fields, sewage lagoons, mangrove lagoons, and tidal mudflats.
Breeds mainly April–August in loose colonies; post-breeding flocks gather late summer; northern birds migrate southward September–October and return March–May; coastal populations often remain all year.
Similar species
Black-necked Stilt song FAQ
What does a Black-necked Stilt sound like?
Rapid series of high, piping notes given during aerial displays over breeding territory. Listen for the "kip-kip-kip-kip…" phrase.
How do I tell a Black-necked Stilt from a American Avocet by sound?
American Avocet: Upturned, slender bill; Rust-colored head and neck in breeding plumage; More white on back and wings; Bluish-gray rather than pink legs.
When is the best time to hear a Black-necked Stilt?
Breeds mainly April–August in loose colonies; post-breeding flocks gather late summer; northern birds migrate southward September–October and return March–May; coastal populations often remain all year.