Black-necked Stilt
These Black-necked Stilts have the second highest leg-to-size ratio in the bird universe, surpassed only by flamingos. This pair, and several more, were pecking in the mud and gravel near the Schoolhouse Creek outfall in the southeast corner of the North Basin this afternoon. They’re much smaller than flamingos; a sea gull’s body is bigger. They supposedly breed in California, including Northern, but I’ve not seen them here before, and I suspect that this little delegation came from elsewhere and are just visiting. They’re phenomenally adaptable, able to thrive on alkaline desert lakes, sewage filtration ponds, and other challenging environments. Thus, despite their apparent fragility, they seem to be increasing in numbers. Read more about them here and here.
