Birds of Singapore
by the Bird Society of Singapore
Himantopus leucocephalus
Family: Stilts and Avocets · Status: Very rare resident · Size: 35 cm · Conservation: Not Evaluated
Resident from Australia and New Zealand to the Indonesian archipelago, and more recently expanding its range northward into Borneo and Singapore.
Male resembles Black-winged Stilt but has a long, distinct thick black mane on the hind neck and back of the head, and clean white face and crown. Female similar but has less glossy upperparts. While some Black-winged may show a variable amount of black on the hindneck, it is more restricted; this is most evident around the nape and bottom of the hindneck. Juveniles have brown wings with buff fringing; challenging to separate from juvenile Black-winged Stilt, unless adults are present.
Various types of wetlands including freshwater marshes, lake edges, coastal pools, mudflats and estuarine habitats.