Black-winged Stilt

About

The Black-winged Stilt is a striking, long-legged wading bird known for its contrasting black and white plumage and exceptionally long, slender pink legs. It is found in wetlands across much of the world, feeding on small invertebrates.

Size & lifespan

Length

33-36 cm (13-14 in)

Wingspan

67-83 cm (26-33 in)

Weight

136-205 g (4.8-7.2 oz)

Lifespan

Up to 12 years in the wild

Diet

Carnivore (primarily aquatic invertebrates)

Physical characteristics

Plumage

Adults have pure white underparts, head, and neck, contrasting sharply with glossy black wings and a black back. Some individuals, particularly males, may have a black cap or a black streak behind the eye, extending to the nape. The amount of black on the head and neck varies geographically and individually.

Beak shape

Long, very thin, needle-like, and straight, entirely black.

Eye color

Dark brown with a small, dark pupil.

Leg color

Extremely long, slender, bright pink to reddish-pink.

Distinguishing features

Unmistakable due to its extremely long pink legs (proportionally the longest of any bird relative to body size), slender black bill, and stark black-and-white plumage. Its elegant, upright posture is also characteristic.

Juvenile appearance

Juveniles resemble females but have a duller, brownish-black back and wings, often with pale feather fringes giving a scaly appearance. Their legs are duller pink, sometimes grayish-pink, and their heads are typically pure white or with very faint dusky markings.

Seasonal changes

No significant seasonal plumage changes, though breeding adults may show slightly more intense black coloration. The primary variations are age and sex-related.

Sexual dimorphism

Males typically have a more extensive black cap and nape, often extending further down the hindneck, and a more intense black on the back. Females tend to have a browner or duller black back, and less black on the head, often appearing pure white-headed or with only a small dark patch behind the eye. These differences can be subtle and vary geographically.

How to identify

1. 1

   Legs

   Look for exceptionally long, slender, bright pink legs that trail far behind the tail in flight. This is the most distinctive feature.

2. 2

   Plumage Contrast

   Observe the stark contrast between the pure white body (underparts, most of head and neck) and the glossy black wings and back. Note the variation in black on the head/nape for sex and age identification.

Habitat & range

Biomes

Wetlands, marshes, shallow lakes, lagoons, estuaries, salt pans, flooded fields, and sewage farms.

Geographic range

Widespread across much of the world, including southern Europe, Africa, Madagascar, southern and southeastern Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. Different subspecies occupy different regions.

Elevation range

Primarily found in lowland areas, typically below 500 meters, but can occur at higher altitudes in suitable wetland habitats.

Preferred environments

Shallow, open water bodies with muddy or sandy margins, often with sparse emergent vegetation. They prefer areas where they can wade easily to forage.

Behavior

Activity time

Diurnal, actively foraging during daylight hours.

Feeding habits

Forages by wading in shallow water, often up to its belly, using its long legs to reach deeper areas. It probes the mud or water with its sensitive bill, sweeping it from side to side or picking prey from the surface. Diet consists mainly of aquatic insects (larvae and adults), small crustaceans, mollusks, and occasionally small fish or tadpoles.

Social behavior

Highly social, especially during the breeding season, forming loose colonies. Outside of breeding, they can be found in small groups or large flocks, particularly during migration or at favored feeding sites.

Flight pattern

Graceful and direct, with steady, shallow wingbeats. The long pink legs trail conspicuously behind the tail, extending well beyond it. Often flies in small flocks.

Migration pattern

Many populations are migratory, moving from temperate breeding grounds to warmer wintering areas. Northern European and Asian populations migrate south to Africa and Southeast Asia. Southern populations may be resident or undertake shorter, local movements in response to water availability.

Territoriality

During the breeding season, pairs defend a small territory around their nest site, often aggressively chasing away intruders, including other stilts or larger birds.

Breeding & reproduction

Breeding season

Varies geographically, typically spring and summer (e.g., April-July in Europe, August-December in Australia).

Nesting habits

Nests are typically shallow scrapes on the ground, often lined with a few pebbles, grass, or shell fragments. They are usually located on small islands, raised hummocks, or bare ground near shallow water, often in loose colonies.

Clutch size

3-4 eggs, occasionally 2 or 5.

Egg description

Typically 3-4 eggs, olive-buff to pale brown, heavily marked with black or dark brown spots and blotches, providing excellent camouflage.

Incubation period

22-26 days, shared by both parents.

Fledging period

Chicks are precocial and leave the nest shortly after hatching (within hours). They can feed themselves but are guarded by parents. They become fully independent and capable of flight at around 28-32 days.

Parental care

Both parents share incubation duties and care for the young. They are highly protective of their chicks, often performing distraction displays (e.g., feigning injury) to lure predators away from the nest or young.

Where to find

Field tips

1. Scan open water edges. They prefer open, shallow water where they can wade and probe for food. Look for them at the water's edge or wading further out.
2. Listen for calls. Their sharp 'kip-kip-kip' call is distinctive and often given when disturbed or in flight, helping to locate them.
3. Observe feeding behavior. Watch for their characteristic head-down, bill-sweeping foraging method in shallow water.

Similar species

Quick facts

Leg Length:

Proportionally the longest legs of any bird.

Diet:

Mainly aquatic invertebrates.

Nesting:

Colonial ground nesters.

Flight:

Legs trail well beyond tail.

Fun facts

• The Black-winged Stilt's scientific name, Himantopus, comes from Greek words meaning 'strap-foot' or 'thong-foot', referring to its extremely long, slender legs.
• Despite their long legs, they are surprisingly agile in flight and can cover long distances during migration.
• Their long legs allow them to forage in deeper water than many other waders, reducing competition for food.
• When threatened at the nest, parents may perform elaborate distraction displays, such as feigning a broken wing, to draw predators away from their eggs or chicks.

Scientific classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Charadriiformes

Family

Recurvirostridae

Genus

Himantopus

Species

Himantopus himantopus

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