Birds in Taiwan

Endemic Species

Collared Bush-Robin

Flamecrest

Formosan Magpie

Formosan Whistling-Thrush

Mikado Pheasant

Steere's Liocichla

Styan's Bulbul

Swinhoe's Pheasant

Taiwan Barwing

Taiwan Bush-Warbler

Taiwan Partridge

Taiwan Yuhina

White-eared Sibia

White-whiskered Laughingthrush

Yellow Tit

Endemic Sub-Species

Alpine Accentor

Black-browed Barbet

Black-naped Monarch

Black Bulbul

Black Drongo

Black-winged Stilt

Himantopus himantopus

The Black-winged Stilt is a large (35-40 cm) and conspicuous wading bird with thin black bill, black wings, white body and long, thin red legs.  Males have a dark patch on the head, which extends down the back of the neck during breeding season, while females have a less extensive cap.  Immature birds have greyish-brown wings.  Black-winged Stilts feed on a variety of invertebrates and small vertebrates, including aquatic insects, crustaceans, mollusks, worms, tadpoles and spiders.  They frequent ponds, marshes, salt pans and rice paddies, where their long legs allow them to reach food in places which are not accessible to  smaller wading birds.  Black-winged Stilts are often seen in flocks of 10-20, and are also seen in mixed flocks with other shorebirds.

The Black-winged Stilt is a common winter visitor to Taiwan, especially in the south, and in summer some are found breeding in southern wetlands such as Ssutsao, Tainan.  The nest of grasses and sedges is placed on the ground, and the female usually lays four eggs, which are incubated by both parents.  Black-winged Stilts often nest in small colonies.  After hatching, the chicks are mobile and usually leave the nest the same day or the next day.  Black-winged Stilts make ringing, piping calls and can be quite noisy, especially on their breeding grounds.

References:  The Complete Guide to Birds in Taiwan (Jin-yuan Wang);  Handbook of Birds of the World Vol. 3