The Black-Necked Stilt is an elegant, fragile looking bird that we see in the wetlands and salt ponds of the Texas Gulf Coast. If those legs look long, they are. Stilts have the second-longest legs in proportion to their bodies of any bird except the flamingo.
They like to feed in groups and try to stay within 12-18 inches of each other. Stilts peck and plunge their heads into the water looking for food, and will actually herd small fish into shallow waters to trap them.
This guy was photographed at the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge about the middle of November. I was there to look for Sandhill Cranes and some geese, but I was too early. I'll be back after Christmas.
They like to feed in groups and try to stay within 12-18 inches of each other. Stilts peck and plunge their heads into the water looking for food, and will actually herd small fish into shallow waters to trap them.
This guy was photographed at the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge about the middle of November. I was there to look for Sandhill Cranes and some geese, but I was too early. I'll be back after Christmas.
