The Black-necked Stilt has the second-longest legs relative to body size of any bird in the world, after the flamingo. Its bold black-and-white plumage and shocking pink legs make it unmistakable in shallow wetlands. It is extremely vocal and aggressive in defense of its nest, harassing even Great Blue Herons and humans that venture too close.
Best time to see a Black-necked Stilt
The best time to see a Black-necked Stilt is January–June, when about 62% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 48,682 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Black-necked Stilt? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Black-necked Stilt sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spot a Black-necked Stilt? Identify it instantly.
Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.
Get HuckGet an alert when a Black-necked Stilt is spotted
Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.
Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.
Love birds? Get Huck field notes
Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.