THE BLACK WINGED STILT “Himantopus himantopus / cigüeñuela común”
Even though Fuerteventura has a very rugged terrain and very little trees, that does not mean we don't have an abundance of wildlife. Many birdwatchers come here especially to tick some off their lists. One bird that does visit and breeds here is the Black winged Stilt or “Himantopus himantopus / cigüeñuela común”
Luisa
THE BLACK WINGED STILT
An article by DaveG with The Voice Fuerteventura
The Black-winged stilt is one of the most elegant birds found on Fuerteventura. Its name in Spanish translates to ‘common stilt’. They can be seen around ponds and lakes on the golf courses, also at the salt mines at Las Salinas or the dam at Las Parcelas near Los Molinos.
BLACK WINGED STILT - WHAT TO LOOK FOR
The Black-winged stilt is closely related to the Avocet, however I have never seen an Avocet on Fuerteventura.It looks as its name suggests. With black and sometimes grayish wings and long thin pink coloured legs which trail behind when in flight. The beak is long, straight and coloured black. Depending on age and time of year colouring can vary from grey to black on both wings and head. The stilts are easily identified from their colouring and often fly in small groups for short distances when disturbed,
Photo By DaveG
BLACK WINGED STILT - BREEDING HABITS
They breed in Fuerteventura and build their nests on open hard ground near marshy ares. They often nest in groups. During breeding they will screech loudly when disturbed near their nesting site. They will circle nearby with a non-stop loud shriek until danger passes. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs (usually 4). They are monogamous.
Photo by DaveG
WHERE TO FIND THEM
If you fancy trying to find them for yourself, then zone 8 on The Voice Fuerteventura bird watching map is a good place to start. The other popular area for finding stilts and many other birds is in Los Molinos on the west coast. Zone 3.
Please remember to take only photos and leave only footprints.
