Pied StiltScientific name: Himantopus leucocephalus

Meaning of name: Himantopus is from the Greek word himantopous, meaning water-bird. Leucocephalus is from the Greek words leuco, meaning white, and cephalus, meaning -headed.

Aboriginal name: Dit (deet).

Distribution: Widespread across mainland Australia, however absent, or very few records, for the arid zones.

Description: Up to 37cm long with a 73cm wingspan.

Notes: Pied Stilts were not recorded in the reserves between 2005 and 2013. Plant growth around the lakes covered their favoured habitat – open areas near water. When the plants were removed, the stilts returned.

The furthest distance recorded by the Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme for this species of bird to travel is 1,748km. The oldest bird recorded was still alive when its band was read in August 1998, 15 years 11.8 months after being banded (information as at 15 June 2012).

References: Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Various contributors.
What Bird is That? Neville W Cayley. 1978

Aboriginal names of bird species in south-west Western Australia, with suggestions for their adoption into common usage. Ian Abbott. 2009. Conservation Science Western Australia Journal. Volume 7 No 2  http://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/about-us/science-and-research/76-publications-and-resources/103-conservation-science-wa-journal

Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/science/abbbs/abbbs-search.html