An unmistakable wading bird: very long pink legs, crisp black-and-white plumage and a thin, straight, pointed black bill. The back, the wings and a band running down the nape are black; the forehead, face, neck and underparts are white. The iris is an intense red. Its legs are among the longest of any bird in proportion to its body, surpassed only by those of the flamingos. It measures about 35 cm. Very vocal and noisy when anything comes near the nest.
Behaviour
It walks through shallow water, mud beaches and lagoon shores, picking aquatic insects, small crustaceans and larvae off the surface of the water and the mud. It is usually seen in loose groups and is very noisy, giving loud alarm calls in flight. It nests on the ground, on mud or sand beaches and sometimes in small colonies, with precocial chicks that run and swim within hours of hatching.
How and when to see it
Year-round. The mud beaches, lagoon edges and shallow marshes of the portals concentrate groups. It is easy to see and photograph thanks to its size, its contrasting plumage and its habit of feeding in plain sight, in open water.
Where to see it in the Iberá
The gateways of the Great Iberá Park where white-backed stilt has confirmed presence:
Tours to see it
Verified providers operating at the gateways where white-backed stilt lives. You contact them directly on WhatsApp from the app.
- Esteros Ñe’é
Experiences with local storytelling and a cultural take on the marshes.★ 5.0 - Gaucho Argentino
Horseback journeys across a network of refuges in Iberá. Multi-day rides with overnight…★ 5.0 - Irupé Excursiones
Guided hiking. Guided visit to museums, historic sites, chapels and trails of the town…★ 5.0 - Reserva Estero Camba Trapo
Private nature reserve of Ecoposada del Estero, on the Camba Trapo road. One of the…★ 5.0
Species profile
- Common nameWhite-backed Stilt
- Scientific nameHimantopus melanurus
- GroupBird
- StatusNative
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