[12] They maintain their down for about 4 weeks (28 days), at which point they fledge and fully develop black and white adult colours.

[12] Compared to the nominate subspecies, the North American H. m. mexicanus, the black coloration of the Hawaiian stilt extends noticeably farther around its neck and lower on its face than the black-necked stilt (Himantopus mexicanus), and its bill, tarsus, and tail are longer.

The eggs have a white to tan colouration, with dark brown or black speckles of various sizes.

[10] Adults will defend their nests by feigning injury to distract potential predators from their eggs and young, known as the "broken wing" act.

[10] The Hawaiian stilt's feeding grounds are shallow bodies of water (between 8 and 11 cm deep),[13] providing a wide variety of fish, crabs, worms, and insects.

[15] The subspecies is LE (Listed Endangered) in the US Endangered Species Act (USESA), and its NatureServe Conservation Status was ranked G5T2 in 1996, meaning the species is globally secure (G5), but the Hawaiian subspecies is imperiled (T2).

[citation needed] The Hawaiian stilt, like many of Hawaii's native endemic birds, is facing extensive conservation threats.

[citation needed] Primary causes of historical population decline are loss and degradation of wetland habitat, and introduced predators such as rats, dogs, cats, and mongooses.

[citation needed] The Hawaiian stilt was a popular game bird until waterbird hunting was banned in Hawaii in 1939.