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I tested the ability of captive black stilt chicks (Himantopus novaezelandiae) to capture and consume common aquatic invertebrates. Waterboatmen (Sigara sp.), segmented worms (Oligochaeta), and larvae of a damselfly (Xanthocnemis zealandica), midge (Chironomus zealandicus), mayfly (Deleatidium spp.), and caddisfly (Aoteapsyche colonica) were captured and consumed quickly and easily by chicks of all ages (2 – 30 days). They were also consumed in the greatest numbers. In contrast, two aquatic snails (Physa acuta and Lymnaea tomentosa) and larvae of two cased caddisflies (Triplectides sp. and Hudsonema amabilis) were captured and consumed with difficulty and in low numbers by young chicks (< 7 days). Young chicks appeared to take longer than older chicks to capture prey, to spend more time manipulating prey in their bills before swallowing, and to drop prey frequently. In contrast, 21 – 30 day old chicks appeared to capture, manipulate and swallow most types of prey efficiently and quickly. These results augment biomass as a measure of the value of aquatic invertebrate food supplies in wetlands.