Stilt is a common name for several species of birds in the family Recurvirostridae, which also includes those known as avocets.

They are found in brackish or saline wetlands in warm or hot climates.

Stilts typically feed on aquatic insects and other small creatures and nest on the ground surface in loose colonies.

[1][2] The generic name Himantopus comes from the Ancient Greek meaning "strap-leg".

[3] The genus Himantopus contains five species:[4] The genus Cladorhynchus is monotypic and contains a single species:[4] A fossil stilt has been described by Bickart, 1990, as Himantopus olsoni, based on remains recovered in the Late Miocene Big Sandy Formation of Mohave County, Arizona, United States.