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Species › Birds

Black-winged Stilt

Himantopus himantopus

Order
Charadriiformes
Family
Recurvirostridae
Presence in the Strait
Resident
Abundance
common
Protection in Spain
Special protection (List)
In Spanish
Cigüeñuela común

Marine taxonomy: validated in WoRMS, AphiaID 212609

Photograph: Paolo Zucca, CC BY, vía iNaturalist

Length
35–40 cm
Wingspan
67–83 cm
Weight
180 g
020406080LENGTH35–40 cmWINGSPAN67–83 cmcentimetres

Presence in the Strait

Common resident of wet and coastal regions (>120 pairs), fewer in winter (<50).

Identification

Black and white, very stately birds with thin legs and bill. In flight, the white rump contrasts with the bird’s black wings; legs extend beyond the tail. The male is slightly larger than the female and has a more intense, black plumage. Juveniles are brown rather than black.

Movements

Prenuptial migration more evident than postnuptial. Peaks in 1st hf. April and 2nd hf. August.

Ring recoveries

Spain (3) and France (1).

Bioestrecho editorial text. Last revised: 8 September 2026.

Gallery

Photographs from iNaturalist observations with the licence checked file by file. Those marked “Strait” were taken within the area; place and date are those of each observation.