
(Himantopus mexicanus)
Broadmoor Marsh, Canon 50D, EF 100-400mm, ISO 160, 1/2000 @ f/5.6
This
elegant black and white patterned bird, sleek and streamlined, rises from its
nesting habitat. J.R. Williams expertly photographed it in May at the T.
M. Goodwin Waterfowl Management Area of Brevard
County. Black-necked Stilts also frequent freshwater, muddy habitat in
our county, such as sod farms and Egret Marsh Stormwater treatment system where
they can be seen daintily walking on long slender pink legs, foraging for
invertebrates. Stilts mate, nest, and raise their young in full collaboration
after migrating here at the end of February from their overwintering
areas—perhaps central Mexico, Cuba or Puerto Rico.
They seek salt marshes, shallow lagoons, ponds and wetlands with muddy shores
for nesting. Choosing an area at the water’s edge, they make a shallow “scrape”
and then toss lining materials over their back into this depression. If the
water rises, both birds insert twigs beneath the nest to keep it high and dry.
In the nest cup, four camouflaged tawny olive eggs with brown speckled markings
fit snugly, narrow ends toward the center. Incubation begins only after the
last egg is laid, so that all hatch at the same time. Parents take turns
regulating the eggs’ temperature by either making contact with their ‘brood’
patch (featherless area on the breast) to warm them or wetting their breast
feathers to cool them. To regulate their own body temperature, they pant and
fluff feathers. No eggs are left uncovered more than a minute. Surprisingly,
1-2 days before hatching, from inside the shell come “Peep, Clicking, and Whine
Calls” through a hole pecked with an ‘egg’ tooth that disappears soon after the
baby stilt hatches! All the youngsters are immediately capable of walking and
feeding in shallow water. As soon as all hatch, the entire brood is led into
vegetation for protection.
Juanita Baker
Coordinator of the Photo of the Month,
Pelican Island Audubon Society