Black-winged Stilt - The Bird Model
As their English name suggests, Black-winged Stilts (Himantopus himantopus) have remarkably long legs. They can be up to 35cm tall, and their legs can be 23 cm long. It has black and white plumage and reddish legs. The reddish colour makes their long legs even more spectacular, and the stilt is nicknamed ‘Redlegged Lady’ in Chinese. In flight, a stilt stretches its legs behind gracefully, forming a straight line. With slim red legs, stylish black and white plumage, and elegant posture, black-winged stilt has earned the name "The Bird Model".
Hong Kong lies on the East AsianAustralasian Flyway, which is one of the most important flyways for migratory birds. Every year, many waterbirds stop over at Mai Po and Deep Bay in Hong Kong to feed and refuel. Black-winged Stilts are mainly spring and autumn passage migrants. Since the discovery of their first nest, built in Mai Po in 2003, the local breeding population has been increasing every year.
Black-winged Stilts are active aroundlakes, swamps, fish ponds and shrimp ponds. Their long legs allow them to readilymove and hunt on mudflats and shorelines. They have sensitive beaks, and byswinging them left and right, they can find food using their senses. Their dietmainly consists of aquatic insects and crustaceans. As their bellies are white,when they walk across water, the bellies seem like clouds to the organismsbeneath the water. Without being noticed, black-winged stilts are at anadvantage as they hunt. They are gregarious, and like hunting in groups in thesame place.
Never back down on protecting their babies
Every year, starting from February, black-winged stilts build their nests at Mai Po. They lay eggs in April, each time one to four eggs, which take around 25 days to hatch. The parents take turns to incubate the eggs. During the breeding season, these birds display strong territorial behaviour to protect their eggs.
The parents are on guard near their nest to repel intruders. Besides relying on their parents’ protection, the eggs are also camouflaged, reducing their chances of being found by predators.
Black-winged Stilts are precocious. Right after hatching, the chicks can open their eyes and leave their nests. The colour of new born chicks is quite plain. Their heads, necks and backs are brown, similar to mudflats. This camouflage enables them to integrate into the environment. The chance of being detected by their predators is greatly reduced, increasing their chance of survival.
Chicks follow their parents to stroll and hunt. In order to let their young have enough space to grow and to protect them, Black-winged Stilts fight or make loud and unpleasant noises to keep out intruders. Even when facing intruders which are far bigger than they are, these responsible parents show no fear and never step back!
