White-backed Stilt

The White-backed Stilt, known scientifically as Himantopus melanurus, is a striking shorebird that graces the wetlands and coastlines of South America. It is a creature of elegant contrast, with its long, slender legs and distinctive white back, which stands out against the more common dark-winged varieties of its kind.

Identification Tips

To identify the White-backed Stilt, look for its long, pinkish legs and straight, thin bill. Its plumage is predominantly black and white, with a notable white back that differentiates it from other stilt species. The bird's head and neck are black, creating a sharp delineation against its white underside.

Habitat

This bird is typically found in lowland habitats, including estuaries, lakes, salt ponds, and emergent wetlands. It is also known to inhabit the llanos, a vast tropical grassland plain situated to the east of the Andes in Colombia and Venezuela.

Distribution

The White-backed Stilt has a geographical range that extends from northwest Brazil to southwest Peru and southcentral Argentina. It is a locally abundant species within this South American range.

Behaviour

The White-backed Stilt is known for its foraging behavior, which involves probing and gleaning in mudflats, lakeshores, and shallow waters. It is a sociable bird, often seen in groups, and is known to defend a territory around its nesting area cooperatively with neighboring stilts.

Breeding

Breeding sites for the White-backed Stilt are chosen with care, often on mudflats, dry lake edges, or levees with friable soil. The nests are placed within close proximity to feeding areas and are spaced to allow for both community and individual territory. The species is known for its precocial young, which are capable of swimming and rapid movement shortly after hatching, though they return to the nest for rest in the initial days.

Similar Species

The White-backed Stilt may be confused with the Common or Black-winged Stilt, but can be distinguished by its white back. It is sometimes treated as a subspecies of the Black-necked Stilt, with which it shares some range and characteristics.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the White-backed Stilt consists of aquatic invertebrates such as crustaceans, arthropods, mollusks, and occasionally small fish, tadpoles, and plant seeds. Its diet varies depending on the availability of food sources in its habitat.