The Incredibly Long-legged Black-necked Stilt

It's so easy to recognized this bird with its shiny black wings and its long bright red legs.

It's interesting that at first glance males and females look alike but when these birds are in their breeding plumage you can tell the difference between a male and female. The male has solid shiny black back while the female has brownish tones in this area. The legs of female are also shorter.

But the most unique feature of this birds is their long ruby red legs. Stilts have webbed legs and they can swim but I have never seen them swimming.

In four and half months these birds will return to Utah. I am patiently waiting for their return.