Winter visitor to coasts; breeds in Sri Lanka and Maldives. Black-and-white plumage, with stout black bill and very long blue-grey legs. Juvenile like washed-out version of adult with black streaking on nape and grey rather!than black) mantle. Found singly, in pairs or in small parties, but hundreds recorded at traditional roost sites. Mainly crepuscular and usually very wary, taking flight at a distance. Feeds chiefly on crabs. Flies with neck and legs extended. Feeds on intertidal mudflats and coral reefs; roosts on reefs, sand spits and coastal rocks.
Colour
BlackGreyWhiteBlue
Average size
39.5 cm
Habitat
Feeds on intertidal mudflats and coral reefs, roosts on reefs, sand spits and coastal rocks.
Behaviour
Winter visitor to coasts, breeds in Sri Lanka and Maldives., Found singly, in pairs or in small parties, but hundreds recorded at traditional roost sites. Mainly crepuscular and usually very wary, taking flight at a distance. Feeds chiefly on crabs. Flies with neck and legs extended.
About this bird
Winter visitor to coasts; breeds in Sri Lanka and Maldives. Black-and-white plumage, with stout black bill and very long blue-grey legs. Juvenile like washed-out version of adult with black streaking on nape and grey rather!than black) mantle. Found singly, in pairs or in small parties, but hundreds recorded at traditional roost sites. Mainly crepuscular and usually very wary, taking flight at a distance. Feeds chiefly on crabs. Flies with neck and legs extended. Feeds on intertidal mudflats and coral reefs; roosts on reefs, sand spits and coastal rocks.
Compare size with other birds
Every bird sits between two neighbours — bigger than one, smaller than the other. The sentences below are generated live from the database.
