“ON STILTS”: THE BLACK-NECKED STILTS OF ABACO
This elegant stilt Himantopus mexicanus was one of a pair nesting in the scrub by a small brackish lake near Crossing Rocks. We had gone there for heron and egret reasons, but for once there were none. Just dozens of BAHAMA (WHITE-CHEEKED) PINTAILS. I had walked to one end of the lake, when suddenly this bird rose from the undergrowth and flew, shrieking, straight at me. It veered off, landing agitatedly in the water, and proceeded to stalk towards me on a zig-zag route, scolding me belligerently. 
In the end, it stood facing me squarely, then flew at me before veering away again back to the bushes, where it continued to protest. Presumably close by was a well-concealed nest with the female and her eggs or chicks. Of course I wouldn’t have had any idea about it but for this peevish display of aggression. However, this is such a handsome bird, and the protective display was so effective that I considered myself well warned, and moved away from the area…
BLACK-NECKED STILT ALARM CALL (Xeno-Canto)
[audio http://www.xeno-canto.org/sounds/uploaded/ILUHRFXDNU/BlackneckedStiltalarm.mp3]
Pingback: WHITE-CHEEKED (BAHAMAS) PINTAILS ON ABACO | THE BIRDS OF ABACO
Beautiful !!! Love the pink legs. Hope to see one in Abaco! Thanks to all for sharing.
Jack B, RPh
LikeLike
Thanks Jack. We get them on the beach at Delphi, but I’ve never had one so close for photos… nor so determined to chase me off! Took a friend to BPS(N) yesterday to see parrots… and there was one straight away, posing brightly in the sun on the top of the topmost branch of a tree. Perfect! All the best.
LikeLike
The refections are awesome~
LikeLike
Pure luck, Cindy! The whole incident was quick & I just clicked a few pics from a lucky angle… Nothing clever intended. Sometimes that’s the best way to an interesting image… RH
LikeLike