Black-necked Stilt

1/4000s, f8,0 ISO 1000, Canon EOS-1D X, EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM


The Black-necked Stilt is found along the edges of shallow water in open country. For feeding areas they prefer coastal estuaries, salt ponds, lake shores, alkali flats and even flooded fields. The clutch size generally is 3 to 5 eggs with an average of four. For 22 to 26 days both sexes take turns incubating the eggs. The young are so precocial that they are seen swimming within two hours after hatching and are also capable of rapid land velocity at that early time. In spite of this early development the young normally return to the nest for resting for one or two more days. They fledge after about one month but remain dependent on their parents for some more weeks. Birds begin to breed at 1 to 2 years of age.
Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch, Gilbert, AZ
 
12/26/2017