Story: Wading birds

Black stilts in flight

This pair of black stilts is flying above the Cass Valley in the Mackenzie Basin, one of their last strongholds. They breed in isolation on the banks above river braids, or nearby side streams and wetlands. The shallow edges are where they search for food, such as mayflies, caddisflies, waterboatmen, molluscs and small fish.

Listen to the black stilt’s call.

Using this item

Department of Conservation
Reference: 10045264
Photograph by Rod Morris

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Sound file from Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright. To request a copy of the recording, contact Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision (Black stilt/Reference number T2811).

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How to cite this page:

Gerard Hutching, 'Wading birds - Stilts', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/natural-sounds/9158/black-stilts-in-flight (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Gerard Hutching, published 12 Jun 2006, reviewed & revised 17 Feb 2015