Pied / Black-winged Stilt, New Zealand birds. (Himantopus himantopus) (Recurvirostridae: Avocets, Stilts)
The cosmopolitan Pied or Black-winged Stilt appears to be a relatively recent arrival to New Zealand, probably arriving from Australia sometime in the 1800's. It has interbred with the now, critically endangered, endemic Black Stilt (Himantopus novaezelandiae). Many Pied Stilts in New Zealand appear to carry genes from the Black Stilt, as evidenced by the incomplete white neck collar, seen when they bend over to feed. Australian birds, all with clean white neck collars can be seen at vimeo.com/108690200.