Pied Stilt (himantopus himantopus)
Poaka

Size: 35cm, 190 gm

Description: Small wading bird. Very long pink legs and long slender black bill. White underparts, black wings and back. Variable amount of black on back of head and neck. Juveniles have greyer markings.

Habitat: Estuaries, lakes and damp pasture. Pied stilts feed on aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates. If in tidal habitat they always feed at low tide.

Status: Protected common native. 30,000 birds in 1984-93.

Breeding: July - January. 2-5 eggs. Both sexes build the nest and incubate.

Distinguishing Features: Only black and white stilt in New Zealand. Extremely long pink legs with small body.

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