The
Black-winged stilt is about 31cm long and is similar in appearance
to the Avocet. They are known for their extraordinarily long
and slender legs, which are pink in color. Their black beaks
are also quite straight and fine like a needle. The area extending
from their crowns to their napes is black, as are their wings,
while the remainder of their plumage is pure white. This distinct
and vivid contrast in their coloring makes the bird very easy
to identify. The plumage of young, immature Black-winged stilts,
however, is somewhat closer to brown in color.
Behavior:
Black-winged
stilts prefer to live near deep waters or in fallow rice paddies,
and are rarely found near river outlets or shoals. They feed
primarily on aquatic insects, fish, reptiles, and plants. The
birds have a distinct, stylized silhouette that makes them easy
to spot, and they are often seen alone or in small groups dipping
their long, pointy beaks into swampy areas, ponds, and fish
farms in search of food. When disturbed, they will take off
immediately, and when in flight, they make a "kik, kik,
kik" sounding call. Black-winged stilts are cautious, highly
alert birds that are extremely protective of their young during
the breeding season, and will give off short, high-pitched warning
calls whenever they sense danger. When they migrate in the spring,
males and females often continue to reaffirm their bonds with
one another, even if they have already mated. They usually begin
to mate immediately after finding a suitable breeding ground
in which to nest.
Habitat:
Black-winged
stilts are rare migrants to Taiwan, though some are residents
to the island. They are most often sighted in the area near
Ssutsao, Tainan.
