Peppergrass

Black-winged Stilt

Himantopus himantopus himantopus

Very long red legs and a long, thin tapering black bill. Males have a black mantle with a glossy sheen, this appears duller in females. Other than this both sexes are alike. During teh breeding season the blacking area on crown is variable and sometimes extends down to the nape, turning grey when the season finishes. Juveniles have a grey crown and neck, brown mantle with pale fringes and whote which trails the edge of the wings. Flies with a slow regular wing beat, with legs trailing far behind the tail. When wading, has delibarate strides usually lifting the feet clear out of the water.

Posted on February 11, 2009 at 6:25 pm in Birds, Sri Lanka, Stilts, Udawalawe National Park.