Black-winged Stilt
Himantopus himantopus
Wetlands. Pied waterbird. Told by long, straight bill and very long red legs
Avocets, Stilts
LC
Not Endemic
Description
Common resident. Black-and-white plumage and long red legs are conspicuous both at rest and in flight. Adult may have a dusky crown, while immature is even duskier about the head. The call, often given in flight, is a loud ‘kik-kik-kik-kik-kik’ or ‘kyik’. Individuals, pairs or flocks occur at inland pans, dams and vleis, especially sewage ponds, and coastal lagoons and estuaries. Wades in the shallows with the legs well immersed while feeding on the surface.
Quick Facts
Size
38 cm - M
Names
A: Rooipootelsie
Z: uduku
Ss: Mmamenotwana
G: Stelzenläufer
Bird Family
Elegant, long-legged, long-billed, black-and-white wading birds. Avocets have upturned bills; stilts have straight bills.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
Individuals, pairs or 'flocks' occur at inland pans, dams and vleis, especially sewage ponds, and coastal lagoons and estuaries.
