Kaki Himantopus novaezelandiae (Black stilt)

Coordinator: Bryan Welch

Habitat and Distribution: A critically endangered wading bird now confined to braided rivers and wetlands within the Upper Waitaki Basin in South Canterbury/Otago. In winter a few birds migrate to northern harbours, but the majority remain within the Upper Waitaki Basin.

Characteristics: Long legs and totally black plumage of adults. Immature birds are black and white in colour until approximately two years. Sometimes hybridises with Poaka/Pied Stilt where kaki mates are not available.

Voice: Repeated high-pitched 'yap-yap'

Food: Generalistand opportunistic feeders, mostly taking aquatic insects , molluscs and small fish.

Breeding: Unlike Poaka , kaki nest in isolation and are vulnerable to ground predators (cats, ferrets, stoats, hedgehogs, rats) and aerial predators (harrier hawks and black backed gulls). The nest scrape usually in shingle, lined with few grasses. 2-4 (typical clutch size is 4 eggs) green/brown eggs blotched with black are laid from September to December a nd incubated by both sexes for 25 days.

Captive Program : Two holders of breeding birds (DoC Twizel and Peacock Springs in Christchurch) and three holders of advocacy birds (Wellington Zoo, Otorohanga Kiwi and Birdlife Park, Queenstown Kiwi and Birdlife Park). Seven pairs in captivity and twelve pairs in the wild (2004/05 season), breeding up to 100 birds per year for release into the wild to fulfill requirements of the Kaki Recovery Group.

Associated Documents:

Black Stilt Recovery Plan

Black Stilt Captive Mangement Plan

Black Stilt Husbandry Manual