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Black-winged Stilt
Himantopus himantopus
IUCN Status: Least concern.
Size: Length; 40cm. Weight; 205g.
Habitat and distribution: France, Spain and Portugal, sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar, Asia, China, Indian and Taiwan. Shallow wetlands of tropical and temperate regions.
Age: Around 15 years.
Breeding: Nest amongst grasses. Lay 4 eggs which are incubated by both parents for around 26 days.
Diet: Mainly aquatic invertebrates and vertebrates, occasionally seeds.
- Seven species make up the family Recurvirostridae (avocets and stilts).
- This species is occasionally seen in Great Britain.
- One subspecies the Hawaiian Stilt (H. h. knudseni), is endangered due to habitat loss (this bird is considered by some to be a subspecies of the Black-necked Stilt and by others to be a distinct species). It is the only shorebird to breed in the Hawaiian Islands.
- Their long legs and bill are adapted to catching food; they have strong muscles to allow rapid jaw action and to grip prey.
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