Black-winged or Common Stilts are native to Eurasia/Africa. Their extremely long, thin legs relative to their body size shows why they are called Stilts.

They usually have an all white head/neck but may have a black cap and/or nape seasonally; the black nape does not join the black wings.

They are occasional, rare visitors to UK from continental Europe.

 

Black-necked Stilts are native to the Americas and have a black cap and black back of neck at all times. The black nape meets the black wings without a white gap.

For both species, the female (centre) has dark brown on her wings rather than the glossy green-black of the male (left), while the chicks (right) have brownish plumage.