Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Recurvirostridae
Species: Himantopus mexicanus
This tall, slender, elegant black-and-white shorebird is an unmistakable and familiar sight at ponds and lagoons in the western and southern US as well as the southern Canadian prairies. Stilts hold the avian record for the longest legs relative to body size, and they often cross their trailing feet in flight (see photo). They often share wetland habitats with American Avocets.
(Check out an excellent narrated video by clicking on the Bird Note link at the end of the blog)
Nesting: Simple scrape lined with grass in soft soil; 4 eggs; 1 brood in April-May.
Feeding: As described above.