Black-winged Stilt

Himantopus himantopus

Rare vagrants from Southern Europe to Britain from May-September.

Breeds in France, Spain, Portugal, Mallorca, Central & Africa.

Winters in Africa.

Adults are generally black above and white below, with a white head and neck (with a varying amount of black, species-dependent).

Males have a black back, often with a greenish gloss or sheen.

Females' backs have a brownish hue, contrasting with the black remiges. 

Juveniles are grey and have a markedly sandy hue on their wings, with light feather fringes appearing as a whitish line in flight.

The call is a series of loud piping notes.