The stilts are waders in the same bird family as the Avocets. They are found in brackish or saline wetlands in warm or hot climates.
They have extremely long legs, hence the group name, and long thin bills. They feed on aquatic insects and other small creatures.
They nest on the ground in loose colonies.
Species recognised in Handbook of Birds of the World are:
ITIS further recognises:
which others regard as races of H. himantopus, and also places Banded Stilt in Himantopus
See also
- Stilts for the walking devices.
Black-winged Stilt.
