Meet the Black-necked Stilt: Nature’s Noisy Neighbor

At Birdorable, we love capturing the unique personalities of birds in our designs, and our latest creation, added recently and being highlighted as our Avocet & Stilt Week comes to a close, is no exception! The Black-necked Stilt is a bird that makes its presence known—often before you even see it. With its striking black-and-white plumage, long pink legs, and that unmistakable yapping call, this bird is a true standout in the marshes it calls home.

JUST YAPPING AROUND: The Inspiration Behind the Design

Our new design features a cartoon Black-necked Stilt standing tall in a shallow marsh, surrounded by cattails, with its beak wide open in mid-yap. The bold text JUST YAPPING AROUND perfectly captures the essence of this vocal bird. Black-necked Stilts are known for their sharp, repetitive calls that echo across wetlands, earning them the affectionate nickname "Marsh Poodle." If you’ve ever heard these birds, you know exactly why—they sound just like a yapping little dog!

The Marsh Poodle: More Than Just a Nickname

The Black-necked Stilt’s nickname, "Marsh Poodle," isn’t just a fun moniker—it’s a reflection of this bird’s role in its ecosystem. These stilts are highly territorial and are known to use their yapping calls to defend their nesting sites from intruders, whether they’re other birds, animals, or even humans. Their persistent calls serve as a reminder that these wetlands are their domain, and they’re not shy about letting everyone know it.

Why We Love the Black-necked Stilt

There’s so much to admire about the Black-necked Stilt beyond its vocal tendencies. These birds are graceful and agile, often seen wading through shallow waters on their long, slender legs in search of food. Their striking appearance and spirited behavior make them a favorite among birdwatchers and naturalists enthusiasts alike. At Birdorable, we wanted to celebrate all these qualities with a cute cartoon design that’s as lively and fun as the bird itself.

How to Enjoy Our Black-necked Stilt Design

Our "JUST YAPPING AROUND" design is available on a variety of products, from t-shirts to tote bags, so you can take a little bit of marshland charm with you wherever you go. Whether you’re a birder who’s familiar with the Black-necked Stilt’s calls or someone who just loves a fun, quirky design, this Birdorable creation is sure to be a hit. Check out our shop to see all the ways you can enjoy this unique bird!

Join the Conversation: Have You Heard the Marsh Poodle?

We’d love to hear from you! Have you ever encountered a Black-necked Stilt in the wild? Did its yapping call leave a lasting impression? Share your stories in the comments below, and let’s celebrate this remarkable bird together. And don’t forget to check out our other Birdorable designs featuring the fascinating and fun birds of the world.

Avocet & Stilt Week: That's a Wrap!

Thanks for joining us this week as we highlighted the leggy birds in the Recurvirostridae family -- the Avocets and Stilts of the world! We hope you enjoyed learning more about these snazzy waders and seeing our cute cartoon versions of them. 

There are six species of stilt in the world. Here at Birdorable, as part of Avocet & Stilt Week, we're introducing four new to our family. These will be joining the two existing Birdorable stilts -- and completing the family!

Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus)

The Black-winged Stilt is one of the most widespread and easily recognized stilt species, found across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. This bird is known for its striking black-and-white plumage, long pink legs, and slender black bill. Preferring shallow wetlands, such as marshes, estuaries, and salt pans, the Black-winged Stilt feeds by wading through the water and using its long bill to probe for insects, small crustaceans, and other invertebrates. Its long legs allow it to forage in deeper waters than many other wading birds, giving it access to a unique range of food sources. The Black-winged Stilt joined Birdorable in August 2010.

Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus)

The Black-necked Stilt is native to the Americas, with populations ranging from the United States to South America. This species is similar in appearance to the Black-winged Stilt but is distinguished by its entirely black neck and back, contrasting with its white underparts. Found in coastal marshes, ponds, and shallow lakes, the Black-necked Stilt feeds primarily on aquatic invertebrates and small fish. It’s particularly known for its defensive behavior during the breeding season, often engaging in aggressive displays to protect its nest from potential predators. The Black-necked Stilt joined Birdorable in June 2010.

Banded Stilt (Cladorhynchus leucocephalus)

The Banded Stilt is a distinctive stilt species native to Australia. It is easily recognized by the bold chestnut band across its otherwise white body, which is most prominent during the breeding season. The Banded Stilt prefers ephemeral salt lakes and other shallow inland wetlands, where it feeds on brine shrimp and other small invertebrates. This species is nomadic, often moving great distances to find suitable habitats, especially after heavy rains create temporary wetlands in Australia’s arid interior. The Banded Stilt joined Birdorable earlier this Avocet & Stilt Week.

Black Stilt (Himantopus novaezelandiae)

The Black Stilt, also known as the Kakī, is one of the rarest and most endangered wading birds in the world, endemic to New Zealand. This bird is entirely black, a unique feature among stilts, making it easily distinguishable from other species. The Black Stilt inhabits braided riverbeds and shallow wetlands, where it feeds on insects, worms, and small fish. Conservation efforts are critical for this species, as habitat loss and introduced predators have severely reduced its population. The Black Stilt joined Birdorable earlier this Avocet & Stilt Week.

Pied Stilt (Himantopus leucocephalus)

The Pied Stilt, also known as the White-headed Stilt, is found in Australasia and Southeast Asia. It has a similar appearance to the Black-winged Stilt but is distinguished by its white head and black back. This species frequents a variety of wetlands, including estuaries, lagoons, and rice paddies. The Pied Stilt is highly adaptable and is often seen feeding in both freshwater and saltwater environments, using its long legs and bill to hunt for invertebrates in shallow water. The Pied Stilt joined Birdorable earlier this Avocet & Stilt Week.

White-backed Stilt (Himantopus melanurus)

The White-backed Stilt is a striking stilt species native to South America, particularly in Argentina, Chile, and Brazil. It resembles the Black-necked Stilt but has a distinctive white patch on its back, giving it its name. The White-backed Stilt is commonly found in shallow wetlands, where it forages for small invertebrates, insects, and crustaceans. This bird is also known for its strong social behavior, often nesting in colonies and displaying coordinated defensive tactics against predators. The White-backed Stilt joined Birdorable earlier this Avocet & Stilt Week.

Stilts and Avocets are the only birds in the family Recurvirostridae. We'll be highlighting them on the Birdorable blog this week. Since Recurvirostridae Week is a mouthful, we're calling it Avocet & Stilt Week.

These fascinating wading birds are often found in wetlands, marshes, and shallow water bodies worldwide, where their specialized adaptations allow them to thrive. Let's look at some of the amazing traits that make these wading birds unique.

One of the most striking features of avocets & stilts is their long, slender legs. These birds are built for wading, and their legs are perfect for navigating shallow waters in search of food. The long legs allow them to move easily through different depths without getting their bodies wet, giving them access to a variety of feeding grounds. Whether they’re in salt marshes, mudflats, or freshwater wetlands, their legs enable them to forage efficiently and avoid potential predators by staying in deeper waters that might deter other species.

Another distinctive trait of Recurvirostridae birds is their long, thin bills, which are upturned in avocets.  This specialized bill shape is key to their unique feeding techniques. Avocets use a sweeping motion to catch small invertebrates in the water. They swing their bills from side to side while walking through shallow water, a method known as scything. This technique is highly effective in stirring up tiny creatures from the soft substrate, making them easy prey. Stilts use their straight bills to probe into the mud or sand, hunting for insects, small crustaceans, and other invertebrates.

These birds are also known for their social behavior, particularly during the breeding season. Many stilt and avocet species nest in colonies, which provides several advantages. Group nesting allows for better protection against predators, as there are more eyes to spot danger and more individuals to mob intruders. Both parents are typically involved in duties, taking turns incubating eggs and watching over the nest, ensuring that their offspring are well-protected and cared for. This cooperative breeding strategy increases the chances of survival for the chicks.

Another remarkable adaptation of these birds is their migratory behavior. Several species within the Recurvirostridae family are long-distance migrants, traveling thousands of miles between their breeding and wintering grounds. For example, some Black-winged Stilt breed in southern Europe, Asia, and Africa but may migrate to the Middle East, South Asia, or sub-Saharan Africa during the winter. This ability to travel long distances is essential for survival, allowing them to exploit seasonal food resources and avoid harsh weather conditions.

In addition to their physical adaptations, avocets and stilts have also developed a variety of vocalizations and displays to communicate with each other. These can range from alarm calls that alert the group to danger, to complex courtship displays that involve synchronized movements and calls to attract mates. Their vocal repertoire is an important aspect of their social structure, helping them maintain group cohesion and coordinate activities.

Recurvirostridae birds are a prime example of how evolution shapes species to fit their environments. Their long legs, specialized bills, keen eyesight, social behaviors, and migratory habits all contribute to their success as a family. By understanding these adaptations, we can appreciate the intricate balance of nature that allows these birds to thrive in diverse and often challenging habitats.

Join us this week as we discover more about this family of birds, and reveal a few new birds to join our Birdorable Recurvirostridae family!