The black-winged stilt

A black-winged stilt is seen at Shenzhen Bay Park. Photos by Isaac Cohen

The black-winged stilt

The black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus) is a medium-sized bird of about 40 centimeters in length. Its long, thin legs allow it to wade effortlessly through shallow waters. Its plumage is mainly white, with black wings on females, and different amounts of black feathers over the head in males. The bird has a long, thin black bill and red legs. The contrast in colors makes this bird highly distinctive and easily recognizable.

黑翅长脚鹬（又名红腿娘子、高跷鸻）是一种体长约40厘米的中型鸟类，又长又细的双腿让它能够轻松地蹚过浅水。体羽主要为白色，雌鸟翼上覆羽黑色，雄鸟头部还具数量不一的黑色羽毛。喙细长，呈黑色，腿红色，这些颜色之间的对比让黑翅长脚鹬与众不同且易于辨认。

They are commonly found in wetland habitats throughout Shenzhen, especially in the Shenzhen Bay area, where it frequents shallow waters to forage for food and to nest.

黑翅长脚鹬常见于深圳各地的湿地，尤其是深圳湾地区，它们经常会在浅水区觅食和筑巢。

Its adaptability to both natural and artificial wetlands allows the species to thrive in Shenzhen’s ecosystems.

本物种既能适应自然湿地生境，在人工湿地生境中也能生活，强大的适应能力使它能够很好地在深圳的生态系统中繁衍。

A black-winged stilt is seen at Shenzhen Bay Park.

This skilled forager primarily feeds on invertebrates such as insects, crustaceans, mollusks and small fish. With its long legs and slender bill, it probes into the water, mud, or vegetation to effortlessly catch its prey.

这些觅食能手主要以昆虫、甲壳类、软体动物等无脊椎动物和小鱼为食。它迈着细长的腿，一边步履稳健地涉水行走，一边把细长的喙探入水、淤泥或植被中，毫不费力地捕捉猎物。

During the breeding season, typically between spring and summer, pairs build a nest made of vegetation on the ground or floating near the water’s edge. Females lay a clutch of up to five eggs, which both parents incubate. Shortly after hatching, the precocial chicks can walk and feed themselves.

在春夏之交的繁殖季节，成对的黑翅长脚鹬会选择在开阔的草地或露出水面的浅滩植被上筑巢。雌鸟每窝产卵可达5枚，卵由双亲共同孵化。孵化后不久，初生的雏鸟就可以独立行走和觅食了。

A black-winged stilt is seen at Shenzhen Bay Park.

This migratory species undertakes seasonal journeys in search of suitable breeding and wintering grounds. In Shenzhen, some individuals may stay throughout the year, while others migrate to warmer regions during winter.

黑翅长脚鹬属候鸟，会进行季节性迁徙以寻找合适的繁殖地和越冬地。有些个体可能会全年逗留在深圳，成为留鸟，有些则会在冬季迁移到更温暖的地区。

The black-winged stilt plays a vital role in our ecosystems. It contributes to the ecological balance by controlling populations of aquatic invertebrates, thereby helping to maintain the health of wetlands; their foraging activities stir up sediments, aiding in the circulation of nutrients and promoting the growth of plants. (Translated by Liu Wenzhe)

黑翅长脚鹬在我们的生态系统中起着至关重要的作用。它能调节水生无脊椎动物的数量，从而帮助维持生态平衡和湿地的健康；它在觅食时还会搅动水底沉积物，促进湿地生境的养分循环，有助于植物的生长。