Description The Hawaiian translation for Ae’o is “One Standing High” which appropriately describes this tall slender bird that grows up to 16" in height. It has a black back, white forehead and underbelly, red eyes and a long black bill. Females have brown feathers on its forehead, back of neck and the throughout the top back. They both have very long pink legs for walking through the marshes and wetlands where it feeds and nests. These stilt legs have knees that bend backward to allow its feet and bill to move forward before its body.

Lifecycle Nesting sites are often separated from feeding sites and the stilts move between these areas daily. The nests are found on freshly exposed mudflats within bodies of fresh, brackish or saltwater. Nesting occurs between Marsh and August and peaks in May and June. About 3 to 4 olive-brown eggs with brown or black speckling are laid. Both parents incubate them and the chicks hatch approximately 24 days later. They aggressively defend their nests, calling and diving at intruders. They will fake a broken wing to lure intruders away from the nest. Both parents also brood the young for several months.

Habitat Feeding habitats are in fresh, brackish or saltwater preferring low water depth (less than 9") with limited low growing vegetation and exposed tidal flats.

Diet The Ae'o is an opportunistic feeder with a diet that consists of fish, crab, worms, insects, and water plants. Its black long bill is used to pluck its food and is strong enough to crack crab shells. Their feeding areas are close, but separate from their nesting areas.

Communication The Ae'o use their loud chirp as an alert that speaks to all those in the area know there is a predator nearby. The yipping sounds like an car alarm and will continue as long as the predator is in the neighborhood. The message is to hide, escape or attack.!