Black Stilt or Kakī (Māori)
The Black Stilt or Kakī (Māori), Himantopus novaezelandiae, is a large wader in the avocet and stilt family Recurvirostridae.
Description
Adults are 40 cm long. They have very long red legs, a long thin black bill and black plumage. Juveniles have a white breast, neck and head, with a black patch around the eyes.
Status / Conservation
Despite of 20 years of intensive protection, this species is one of the most threatened shorebirds in the world. The current population is estimated at 22 adult birds. There is a captive population of some 25 adults, annual release in the wild of captive-bred birds and predator control has probably prevented it from becoming extinct in the wild.
During the breeding season it is restricted to the upper Waitaki Valley, South Island, New Zealand. Small numbers overwinter in the North Island.
They breed at the 2-3 years of age. They are one of the worlds most endangered birds. Drainage and hydroelectric development has in the past disturbed their braided river bed habitat. Predation from mammalian invasive species, most notably mustelids such as stoats presently poses a serious threat to the species survival. The third major threat to this species is hybridization with the local and more numerous Pied Stilt H. himantopus.
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References
- BirdLife International (2006). Himantopus novaezelandiae. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 09 May 2006. Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is critically endangered
External links
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