Photo: JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/) / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Not Evaluated

Shorebirds

Pied Stilt

Himantopus leucocephalus

Pied Stilt (Himantopus leucocephalus) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of South & Southeast Asia.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 10 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Australia Birds of Indonesia Birds of Malaysia Birds of New Zealand Birds of the Philippines Birds of Australian Capital Territory Birds of New South Wales Birds of Northern Territory Birds of Queensland Birds of South Australia

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The Pied Stilt (Himantopus leucocephalus) is a member of the Recurvirostridae family found in Australia & Oceania and South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 177 g.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Charadriiformes
Family Recurvirostridae Stilts, Avocets
Genus Himantopus
Species leucocephalus

Where it lives

Local central, southern Philippines, Indonesian Arch., New Guinea region, Australia, New Zealand, northeastern New Britain (southeastern Bismarck Arch.)

Quick facts

Weight: 177 g
Diet: Aquatic hunters
Family: Recurvirostridae
Order: Charadriiformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Not Evaluated

Black-winged Stilt

Himantopus himantopus

Critically Endangered

Black Stilt

Himantopus novaezelandiae

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Pied Stilt hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Behaviour

A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.

Migration

The Pied Stilt is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.

The Pied Stilt (Himantopus leucocephalus) is a member of the Recurvirostridae family, within the order Charadriiformes. It is found across Australia & Oceania and South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR, AU local c, s Philippines, Indonesian Arch., New Guinea region, Australia, New Zealand, ne New Britain (se Bismarck Arch.).

It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 177 g, with a wing length of about 22.2 cm and a tail of around 7 cm.

Songs & calls

Pied Stilt — Call

Recorded by Frank Lambert Licence: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Pied Stilt?

The Pied Stilt is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 177 g.

Where does the Pied Stilt live?

The Pied Stilt is found across Australia & Oceania and South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR, AU local c, s Philippines, Indonesian Arch., New Guinea region, Australia, New Zealand, ne New Britain (se Bismarck Arch.), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Pied Stilt belong to?

The Pied Stilt (Himantopus leucocephalus) belongs to the Recurvirostridae family, in the order Charadriiformes.

What does the Pied Stilt eat?

The Pied Stilt hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Does the Pied Stilt migrate?

The Pied Stilt is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.

What sound does the Pied Stilt make?

1 real field recording of the Pied Stilt — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.