Black-winged Stilt Identification
Its scientific name is 'Himantopus himantopus', from the family Recurvirostridae (order Charadriiformes)
What I look like
The Black-winged Stilt is a bit smaller than the Pied Avocet, but it has much longer legs.
Its extremely long and thin orange legs resemble stilts and give it a graceful appearance.
Its black, long, and thin bill looks like a needle.
Black or gray markings are visible on the head and back of the neck.
These are variable among individuals.
They may even be absent.
It has a black upper body and white lower body plumage.
Its pointed wings are black above and below.
In flight, a white patch on the back can be seen, resembling a "white cigar".
The male is recognized by its shiny pure black plumage.
In females, the back is more brownish and duller.
Juveniles also have a more brownish upper body, but with a scaly appearance, and their legs are duller.
My songs, my calls
The Black-winged Stilt is silent except during nesting, when it can be very noisy.
Its contact call is a high-pitched, slightly grating "kyuk" repeated rapidly. It is used in flight and serves as an alarm call.
How I behave
It is often noticed in groups.
It is frequently seen wading in water, moving with long, rapid strides.
In flight, it beats its wings rapidly, with its neck and legs extended.
How I reproduce
The Black-winged Stilt nests in small colonies.
During the breeding season, males and females are very active and greet each other with various bows while opening their wings.
Its nest is a small ground depression on shores, made of grass and various plants.
The construction is sometimes more elaborate in shallow water.
What I eat
The Black-winged Stilt primarily eats aquatic insects, worms, tadpoles, crustaceans.
Its very long legs allow it to forage in deeper waters than other waders.
It feeds on the surface or in vegetation.
It can easily feed at night thanks to its good night vision.
Where to find me
The Black-winged Stilt lives in shallow freshwater, brackish, or saltwater (lakes, ponds, salt marshes).
It is migratory as it comes to the southern half of Europe in the summer and returns to Africa for the winter.
It is easily found with other species like the Pied Avocet.