Page 168 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

WADERS
Order Charadriiformes Family Recurvirostridae Species Himantopus himantopus
Black-winged Stilt variable black or
grey markings
on head
needle-
like bill
trailing, black upperparts
often glossed dark
crossed, long white “V” on green
legs back from white tail
white neck
ADULT
(WINTER)
pointed white head
wings IN FLIGHT
extremely long,
dark pink legs white
underparts
pale edges
to feathers
on back
ADULT (WINTER)

ADULT
(SUMMER)
JUVENILE
n terms of leg length relative to size, the Black-winged Stilt
Irepresents the peak of development in the waders.The remarkably FLIGHT: strong, direct, quick, with long legs trailed
long legs enable the bird to wade out into deep waters; however, it (often crossed), pointed wings flicked in quite shallow
picks its food from the water surface.This distinctive and elegant beats; glides in wind.
bird, one of Europe’s most beautiful species, generally
occurs in the Mediterranean region, with an
extension northwards in France; it is typically
associated with hot, open saltpans and coastal lagoons
shimmering in the heat. It has some obvious
similarities to its relative, the Avocet, but is essentially
unique in Europe.
VOICE Noisy in summer, with strident, rasping kyik
kyik kyik or kreeek kreeek; quiet in winter.
NESTING Shallow hollow in mud or sand, often on
small islands in shallow water, lined with some grass
or leaves; 3 or 4 eggs; 1 brood;April–June.
FEEDING Picks insects from wet mud, stems, and MIGRANT FLOCKS
water surface, either tilting well forward or wading Before spreading out to pair and nest, flocks of Black-winged Stilts roost
out into deeper water. together in the shallows.
SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRENCE
In Spain, Portugal, Mediterranean
white back region, and W and N France; very
grey back
rare vagrant farther north.
Frequents shallow reedy pools,
upturned flooded fields and rice paddies,
bill salt pans, and coastal lagoons, less
blue-grey
BLACK-HEADED GULL legs commonly on sheltered estuaries.
winter; similar at
long range; AVOCET Seen in the UK
see p.206 see p.165 J F M A M JJ A S O N D
Length 33–36cm (13–14in) Wingspan 70cm (28in) Weight 250–300g (9–11oz)
Social Family groups Lifespan Up to 10 years Status Secure
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