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Black-winged Stilt

Himantopus himantopus

Stilts and Avocets
Black-winged Stilt, photographed by Ryzhkov Sergey

Photo: Ryzhkov Sergey · Wikimedia · CC-BY-SA 4.0 (licence)

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Call and song

About the Black-winged Stilt

Striking large black-and-white wader with a thin, straight bill and bright pink legs, found in wetlands with open shallow water throughout much of Africa and Eurasia, often in brackish habitats. Some populations are migratory, departing northerly breeding grounds for warmer southern regions. Often forms noisy colonies on bare ground near water. Essentially unmistakable throughout much of its range, but compare with Pied Stilt in parts of Southeast Asia. Feeds by wading in water, picking from the water surface with its needle-like bill. In flight, long pink legs stick out far beyond the tail. Calls loudly and stridently, especially when alarmed during the breeding season.

Species account: eBird.org, fetched 2025-12-26 · How these pages are made

Where it has been recorded

Recorded in 152 of the 253 countries we have eBird lists for. Each opens that country's checklist.

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