AUSTRALIAN STILT Himantopus leucocephalus

The common stilt of Australia and New Zealand, but also responsible for hybridising Black Stilt out of existence. This of course only occurs because the latter's numbers have fallen so low. Hybrids are relatively common in New Zealand, and occur in many plumage variations. The bird shown here is obvious, but have a look at the one shown with Black Stilt, the identification problem being compounded by the fact that Black Stilts fledge in a pied plumage.

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