The Hawaiian Stilt (Himantopus Knudseni) By: Zachary T. The Hawaiian Stilt, Ae’o or Kukuluae’o is a two legged shorebird that grows up to 15 inches (38 cm.) in length.
It has a chirping cry, often described as "Kip kip kip". The female's cry is lower than the male's. The Ae’o’s back is black from head to tail. Males and females look similar, but females have a tinge of brown on their backs. The Kukuluae'o's eyebrows, cheeks, chin, breast, and belly are white. The Hawaiian Stilt also has a black beak and pink legs.
Why It Is Endangered: The Ae'o is endangered because its habitat is endangered. It lives in freshly exposed mud flats. They currently reside on all the Hawaiian Islands except Lanai, Kahoolawe, and possibly Hawai‘i. It is hunted by rats, dogs, cats, and mongooses. Other causes for the stilts’ drop in population are animals, plants, bullfrogs, and diseases. On a scale of one through seven, seven being extinct the population would be around four. In other words, they would be endangered, but not extinct. According to state biannual waterbird surveys, population estimates varied between 1,100 and 1,783 between 1997 and 2007. Native predators include the Pueo, Blackcrowned Night Heron and bullfrogs. The Hawaiian stilt was a popular game bird until waterbird hunting was banned in Hawaii in 1939.
Diet: Basically, the Ae’o eats anything it can grab as long as it is in water and small. like fish, crustaceans, insects, and worms.
Other related species are:
The Blackwinged Stilt Common Stilt, or Pied Stilt (Himantopus Himantopus) Whitebacked Stilt (Himantopus himantopus melanurus)
About the Stilt Family Stilt is a name for a type of bird which is found in wetlands or warm climates. They have long legs and long flat bills. Stilts feed insects and other small creatures in the water. The scientific name Himantopus comes from a Greek word meaning “strapleg”. Bibliography "Hawaiian Stilt." Wikipedia. Wikipedia, 31 Jan. 2012. Web. 13 Apr. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaiian_stilt>. "Hawaiian Stilt." U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office.. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 20 Sep. 2012. Web. 9 Apr. 2014. <http://www.fws.gov/pacificislands/fauna/stilt.html> "Hawaiian Stilt (ae'o)." Center for Biological Diversity. Center for Biological Diversity, n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2014. <http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/esa_works/profile_pages/H awaiianStilt.html>