The elegant Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) slowly walks along the edge of a lake, searching for food or enjoying a meal. This striking black-and-white wader captivates with its delicate movements and vibrant appearance.
The Black-winged Stilt is a distinctive large wader, easily recognizable by its thin, straight bill and bright pink legs. Found in wetlands with open shallow water throughout much of Africa and Eurasia, this bird often frequents brackish habitats. Some populations are migratory, leaving their northerly breeding grounds for warmer southern regions.
An interesting characteristic of the Black-winged Stilt is its feeding behavior. It wades in shallow water, using its needle-like bill to pick food from the water surface. In flight, its long pink legs extend far beyond the tail, adding to its unique silhouette.
Often forming noisy colonies on bare ground near water, the Black-winged Stilt is essentially unmistakable throughout much of its range. However, it can be compared to the Pied Stilt in parts of Southeast Asia. This bird is known for its loud and strident calls, especially when alarmed during the breeding season.