The taxonomy of this bird is still somewhat contentious.
Some describe as many as five distinct species; others consider some or all of these to be subspecies.
Some refer to the name Black-winged Stilt as the old world nominate species (Himantopus himantopus) and to the name Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) as the species occuring in the Americas.

Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, Texas, USA, 15 April 2007