Black-winged Stilt

Habitat: Marshes, mudflats, lagoons and shallow water.

Appearance: In Europe, a summer visitor, mainly in southern Europe and particularly along the coast. In Belgium and the Netherlands, an extremely rare breeding bird – year-round resident – migratory – winter visitor in very small numbers.

Breeding season: May – July, ground nest – the nest is usually located in dry places in the marsh, preferably on flat islands or spits of land. Unlike the nests of most of its relatives, these are quite spacious, carefully lined and not hidden at all. The base consists of twigs or blades of grass piled together and is sometimes 6 cm high. The nest cup is lined with finer material, 4 eggs.

Characteristics: Length 33 – 36 cm, wingspan 67 – 83 cm, weight 160 – 210 grams, age 12 years.

Food: The black-winged stilt can wade deeper into water than any other wading bird. It uses this ability to search for food, usually standing in water up to its belly feathers. The bird catches swimming and crawling animals such as tadpoles, water bugs, water beetles and caddisflies.