Black-winged stilt: Red Data Book of Armenia

Stilts and avocets - Recurvirostridae

Status. A vulnerable species. Listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 3.1) as Least Concern. According to IUCN criteria categorized as Vulnerable VU D1.

Distribution. The subspecies is spread in Eurasia and Africa, from Southern Europe eastwards to Mongolia and southwards to South Africa, Madagascar and Ceylon.

Distribution in Armenia. Nestles mostly on the Ararat Valley, as well as in the vicinities of the Lake Arpi and Lake Sevan.

Habitats. Prefers stagnant or slow flowing waters with sparse vegetation.

Biological traits. Nestles in small groups on small hillocks on dry or swampy soils. Three to four eggs are laid in June once a year or, if lost, laid anew. Feeds primarily on aquatic invertebrates and their larvae.

Population size and its trends. According to most recent information, Armenia is inhabited by 50–70 pairs. Six individuals are kept at the Moscow Zoo where one case of breeding is recorded.

Major threats. Has always been rare. During the nesting season, birds are threatened by livestock. The other adverse factors are wetland drainage, use of toxic chemicals and disturbance by local villagers.

Conservation measures. Protected in Sevan National Park and Lake Arpi National Park. It is essential to reconsider the wetland management policies and applications of toxic chemicals so that to make them environmentally friendly and safe for the species and its habitats.