Black Stilt
Himantopus novaezelandiae
Critically EndangeredAves · Charadriiformes · Recurvirostridae
About
The black stilt or kakī (Māori), is a wading bird found in New Zealand. It is one of the world's rarest birds, with 169 adults surviving in the wild as of May 2020. Adult kakī have distinctive black plumage, long pink legs, and a long thin black bill. Black stilts largely breed in the Mackenzie Basin in the South Island, and are threatened by introduced feral cats, ferrets, and hedgehogs as well as habitat degradation from hydroelectric dams, agriculture, and invasive weeds.
Fun Fact
It is one of the world's rarest birds, with 169 adults surviving in the wild as of May 2020.
Quick Facts
Habitat
Found in habitats as diverse as narrow bush streams in Hawkes Bay, and a wetland lake surrounded by forest in North Canterbury.
Diet
To be updated
Lifespan
To be updated
Threats
- Habitat Destruction
- Pollution
- Invasive Species
- Over-Collection
- Climate Change