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Difference between revisions of "Black Stilt" - BirdForum Opus

(Reference)
(Imp sizes. Picture of juveniles. References updated)
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[[Image:Black_Stilt.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|Ornitho26|Ornitho26}}<br />Location: near Omarama, [[South Island]], [[New Zealand]]]]
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[[Image:Black_Stilt.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|Ornitho26|Ornitho26}}<br />Near Omarama, [[South Island]], [[New Zealand]], November 2005]]
 
;[[:Category:Himantopus|Himantopus]] novaezelandiae
 
;[[:Category:Himantopus|Himantopus]] novaezelandiae
 
==Identification==
 
==Identification==
40 cm. Black, long-legged stilt<br />
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37–40 cm (14½-15¾). Black, long-legged stilt<br />
 
'''Adult''', black with long, fine, black bill. Very long red legs<br />
 
'''Adult''', black with long, fine, black bill. Very long red legs<br />
 
'''Juvenile''', white breast, neck, head. Black patch around eyes. Other plumages varying in amount of black on breast and head.
 
'''Juvenile''', white breast, neck, head. Black patch around eyes. Other plumages varying in amount of black on breast and head.
 
====Similar species====
 
====Similar species====
 
Hybridizes with [[Pied Stilt]] (''H. leucocephalus''); resulting individuals are variable. Compared to pure adults, darker hybrid adults have longer bills, shorter legs. Compared to pure juveniles, hybrid adults have some solid black on breast.
 
Hybridizes with [[Pied Stilt]] (''H. leucocephalus''); resulting individuals are variable. Compared to pure adults, darker hybrid adults have longer bills, shorter legs. Compared to pure juveniles, hybrid adults have some solid black on breast.
 +
[[Image:6371.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Juveniles<br />Photo by {{user|Tiger1|Tiger1}}<br />[[New Zealand]], February 2015]]
 
==Distribution==
 
==Distribution==
 
Restricted during the breeding season to the upper Waitaki Valley, [[South Island]], [[New Zealand]]. Small numbers overwinter in the [[North Island]].
 
Restricted during the breeding season to the upper Waitaki Valley, [[South Island]], [[New Zealand]]. Small numbers overwinter in the [[North Island]].
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The population may have numbered 500-1,000 birds in the 1940s, but in 1999, the total number was 40 (nine females, 28 males and three of unknown gender), a loss of 10 over the previous 18 months. In 2001 the wild breeding population consisted of just 7 pairs, but a maximum of 84 adults were recorded in the wild in August 2002. Sixty dark hybrids are known. The captive population consisted of 25 adults in 2002.
 
The population may have numbered 500-1,000 birds in the 1940s, but in 1999, the total number was 40 (nine females, 28 males and three of unknown gender), a loss of 10 over the previous 18 months. In 2001 the wild breeding population consisted of just 7 pairs, but a maximum of 84 adults were recorded in the wild in August 2002. Sixty dark hybrids are known. The captive population consisted of 25 adults in 2002.
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Taxonomy==
A monotypic species.<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>
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This is a [[Dictionary_M-S#M|monotypic]] species<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>.
 
==Habitat==
 
==Habitat==
 
It breeds on braided riverbeds, but also occurs in wetlands and swamplands.
 
It breeds on braided riverbeds, but also occurs in wetlands and swamplands.
 
==Behaviour==
 
==Behaviour==
 
====Diet====
 
====Diet====
It feeds primarily on insects, but also takes small fish.
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Their diet consists of a wide variety of insects and their larvae, such as mayflies, caddisflies and stoneflies. They also eat small fish.
 
====Breeding====
 
====Breeding====
It lays four eggs and will usually re-nest if the first clutch is lost early in the season. Most breed for the first time at three years of age. The average age is 6.8 years, and at least eight are older than 10 years.
+
The lay four eggs and will usually re-nest if the first clutch is lost early in the season. Most breed for the first time at three years of age. The average age is 6.8 years, and at least eight are older than 10 years.
 
====Vocalisation====
 
====Vocalisation====
Voice: Loud, high-pitched, monotonous yapping.
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'''Call''': Loud, high-pitched, monotonous yapping.
 
==References==
 
==References==
#{{Ref-Clements6thDec08}}
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#{{Ref-Clements6thAug15}}#Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved January 2016)
 
{{ref}}
 
{{ref}}
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==

Revision as of 22:39, 6 January 2016

Photo by Ornitho26
Near Omarama, South Island, New Zealand, November 2005
Himantopus novaezelandiae

Identification

37–40 cm (14½-15¾). Black, long-legged stilt
Adult, black with long, fine, black bill. Very long red legs
Juvenile, white breast, neck, head. Black patch around eyes. Other plumages varying in amount of black on breast and head.

Similar species

Hybridizes with Pied Stilt (H. leucocephalus); resulting individuals are variable. Compared to pure adults, darker hybrid adults have longer bills, shorter legs. Compared to pure juveniles, hybrid adults have some solid black on breast.

Juveniles
Photo by Tiger1
New Zealand, February 2015

Distribution

Restricted during the breeding season to the upper Waitaki Valley, South Island, New Zealand. Small numbers overwinter in the North Island.

History

The population may have numbered 500-1,000 birds in the 1940s, but in 1999, the total number was 40 (nine females, 28 males and three of unknown gender), a loss of 10 over the previous 18 months. In 2001 the wild breeding population consisted of just 7 pairs, but a maximum of 84 adults were recorded in the wild in August 2002. Sixty dark hybrids are known. The captive population consisted of 25 adults in 2002.

Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species[1].

Habitat

It breeds on braided riverbeds, but also occurs in wetlands and swamplands.

Behaviour

Diet

Their diet consists of a wide variety of insects and their larvae, such as mayflies, caddisflies and stoneflies. They also eat small fish.

Breeding

The lay four eggs and will usually re-nest if the first clutch is lost early in the season. Most breed for the first time at three years of age. The average age is 6.8 years, and at least eight are older than 10 years.

Vocalisation

Call: Loud, high-pitched, monotonous yapping.

References

  1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2015. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2015, with updates to August 2015. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
  2. Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved January 2016)

Recommended Citation

External Links

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