This is the time to witness and capture the elegance of the black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) along the coasts of Musandam, Muscat, Al Batinah, Al Sharqiya, Al Wusta, and Dhofar.
These birds are known for their distinctive flight style, with legs extended backwards and their resonant calls during flight.
According to studies, adult Black-winged Stilts are between 33-36 cm long. They boast long pink legs and an elongated, slender black beak. The upper part of their bodies is black, contrasting with a white underside, and they often have a white head and neck. Male individuals exhibit an ivory colour with a greenish sheen, while females showcase black to brown hues. Weighing approximately 0.16 kilograms, these birds possess a striking red iris, and their feet cover about 60% of their total length.
Feeding primarily on aquatic insects, the Black-winged Stilt may also consume molluscs and crustaceans. Unlike some waterfowl, they do not swim or dive for their food. Instead, they wade in shallow waters, mud, and sand, utilising their long legs and beaks to search for prey on or near the water's surface. Occasionally, they immerse their heads in the water to capture underwater prey, classifying them as carnivorous birds.
In addition to their presence in Oman and the Arab Gulf states, these birds are found in various locations worldwide, including Australia, Central and South America, Africa, southern Asia, Southeast Asia, and parts of North America. Sociable in nature, they thrive in small groups and prefer habitats like freshwater swamps, saltwater areas, mudflats, and shallow edges near lakes and rivers.
The Black-winged Stilt crafts bowl or cone-shaped nests using grass and fine branches, usually positioning them around or in water. Females lay up to four eggs within 24 hours, with both parents taking turns in incubation, lasting 22-26 days. Flight feathers begin to develop after 28-32 days, and independence is achieved by the young within two to four weeks. In the wild, these birds can live up to 12 years on average.
Known locally as 'Al Karsooe,' the Black-winged Stilt can be spotted in coastal areas spanning from Musandam (North) to Dhofar (South), particularly near water ponds or in the shallow waters of wetlands (Al Akhwar). Thriving in the moderate temperatures of the Sultanate, these birds spend most of their time foraging in shallow waters. Their prolonged presence offers a golden opportunity for birdwatchers to observe their behaviour and photograph their activities.
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