Distribution Map
Banded Stilt
Cladorhynchus leucocephalus
EndemicStatus
UncommonRarity
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Species Description
The Banded Stilt is a highly nomadic Australian shorebird, famous for its unpredictable appearances at inland salt lakes after rare flooding events. This species is uniquely adapted to Australia’s boom-and-bust climate, gathering in vast numbers to breed when conditions are right, and dispersing across the continent during dry times.
Fun Facts
Banded Stilts can travel over 2,2 kilometers in less than three days to reach newly flooded lakes.
1. Adults have a chestnut breast band (absent in juveniles)
2. Long pink legs and straight black bill
3. Thick white trailing edge on black wings in flight
Banded Stilts feed by wading or swimming in shallow saline lakes, picking and probing for crustaceans (especially brine shrimp), insects, molluscs, seeds, and roots. They are diurnal feeders. Breeding is opportunistic and occurs only after major inland flooding, usually on islands or bare patches beside salt lakes. Nests are simple scrapes in the ground. Females lay 3–4 eggs per clutch, and both parents incubate the eggs for about 2 days. Chicks are able to feed themselves soon after hatching and may walk long distances to feeding areas.
Banded Stilts are found in saline and hypersaline wetlands, both inland and coastal, across southern and inland Australia. Their presence is highly erratic, tied to rainfall and flooding of salt lakes. During dry periods, they move to coastal wetlands, but return inland when lakes flood, sometimes traveling thousands of kilometers in just a few days.
Physical Attributes
Height
39 cm
Size Relative to Other Birds78%
Top Locations
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Top birding locations will be available in a future update.