Scientific and Latin name : Himantopus Himantopus

Group : Recurvirostridea

Description :
height : from 35 to 40 cm
bill : 6. 5 cm
legs : 14 to 17 cm
weight : 160 to 200 grams

The upper part of the male is all black, which reflects as metallic green in the light.
The female has a bright brownish- black back, which contrasts with its black wings.

Diet : Its diet is mainly composed of aquatic invertebrates. It also eats insects, spiders, molluscs, small fish and tadpoles.

Habitat : The Black-winged stilt likes fresh and salt water. It can be found on the lake sides, in the ponds edged by reeds, in lagoons, in the salt-marshes, on mud flats, beaches, flooded fields and estuaries.

Migration :

mating: Northern Europe: Blain, Amiens,Consett.

winters in tropical Africa.
doesn't migrate around the Mediterannean Sea (St Genies, Rotonda)

Protected species in France

Call : very sharp and noisy at nesting time. Otherwise, it is quite silent.

Photograph : docteur Tesson- Alain Fossé