Pied Stilt

This species is defined as a Review Species. Please submit your records of this species via our record submission page.

Scientific Name: Himantopus leucocephalus
Malay Name: Kedidi Kaki-Panjang Australasia
Chinese Name: 澳洲长脚鹬
Alternative Name(s): White-headed Stilt, Australian Stilt

Range:
Found from Indonesia to Australia and New Zealand.

Taxonomy:
Monotypic.

Size: 35 cm

Identification:
Adult resembles Black-winged Stilt but has long black "mane" at the back of the head and neck. Based on current knowledge, may not be possible to distinguish juvenile Pied Stilt with non-breeding and juvenile Black-winged Stilt.

Similar looking species: Black-winged Stilt

Habitat: Borders of open wetlands, coastal pools, mudflats and marshy grasslands.

Behaviour/Ecology:

Local Status: Very rare breeding resident

Featured articles:

Featured reports: Jun 2022

Past accepted records in our database:

Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):

Pied Stilt eggs at Pulau Tekong. Photo credit: Frankie Cheong
Pied Stilts adults at Pulau Tekong. Photo credit: Frankie Cheong
Pied Stilt adult incubating eggs at Pulau Tekong. Photo credit: Frankie Cheong
Pied Stilt adult with eggs at Pulau Tekong. Photo credit: Frankie Cheong
Pied Stilts immatures/juveniles at Pulau Tekong. Photo credit: Frankie Cheong
Pied Stilt adult incubating eggs at Pulau Tekong. Photo credit: Frankie Cheong
Pied Stilt chick at Pulau Tekong. Photo credit: Frankie Cheong
Pied Stilt adult with eggs at Pulau Tekong. Photo credit: Frankie Cheong
Pied Stilts immatures/juveniles at Pulau Tekong. Photo credit: Frankie Cheong
Pied Stilt chick at Pulau Tekong. Photo credit: Frankie Cheong
External Links:
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (Pied Stilt)
References:
Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.