Black-winged Stilt

Latin Name: 
Himantopus himantopus
Category: 
Size: 
25cm
Description: 

Male: jet-black mantle and pointed wings; rest of plumage glossy white. Female: dark brown where male is black; black wing underside; black spots on head; duller overall in winter. Very long, pink-red legs diagnostic; extends much beyond tail in flight. Gregarious; large numbers, often along with other waders in wetlands; long legs enable it to enter relatively deep water; clumsy walk; submerges head when feeding; characteristic flight silhouette.

Habitat: 
marshes, salt pans, tidal creeks, village ponds; also riversides.
Food: 
aquatic insects, molluscs, vegetable matter.
Distribution: 
resident and local migrant over most of area, south from about 1,800m in W Himalaya.
Call: 
Call Description: 
shrill notes in flight, very tern-like; noisy when breeding.