The banded stilt is a nomadic wader of the stilt and avocet family, Recurvirostridae, native to Australia. It belongs to the monotypic genus Cladorhynchus. It gets its name from the red-brown breast band found on breeding adults, though this is mottled or entirely absent in non-breeding adults and juveniles. Its remaining plumage is pied and the eyes are dark brown. Nestling banded stilts have white down, unlike any other species of wader.
Region
Australia
Typical Environment
Occurs on saline and hypersaline wetlands, including inland salt lakes, salt pans, estuaries, and tidal flats. Breeding is concentrated on remote islands within ephemeral salt lakes of the arid interior, especially when flooding follows heavy rains. Outside breeding, it frequents southern and western coastal saltworks, lagoons, and sheltered bays. Highly nomadic movements track water availability and invertebrate blooms across the landscape.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1000 m
Climate Zone
Arid
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A monotypic stilt of Australia, the banded stilt breeds opportunistically on ephemeral salt lakes after heavy inland rains. During irruptive breeding events, tens of thousands may form vast colonies on remote lake islands. Adults can travel hundreds of kilometers between coastal wetlands and inland salt lakes in search of food and suitable water levels. Chicks often gather in large crèches guarded by a few adults.
Taking off, Port Fairy
A colony of banded stilts, Coorong, South Australia; some red-necked avocets can be seen at far right.
Parartemia zietziana (male + female), a prey item of the banded stilt
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
strong flier with rapid, direct wingbeats
Social Behavior
Highly gregarious, often forming large flocks and exceptionally large colonial nesting aggregations on lake islands. Nests are simple scrapes on bare, salty substrates. Chicks are precocial and commonly form large crèches guarded by a subset of adults while others forage.
Migratory Pattern
Nomadic and irruptive
Song Description
Vocalizations are high-pitched, piping yelps and sharp yik-yik calls. Calls intensify in flight and around colonies, serving as contact and alarm notes.
