A black-winged stilt has been observed for the first time in the Tangjiahe section of the Giant Panda National Park, Guangyuan, Sichuan province, marking a significant addition to the area's avian biodiversity.

A black-winged stilt stands in the water in the Tangjiahe section of the Giant Panda National Park, Guangyuan, Sichuan province. [Photo provided by Qingchuan county, Guangyuan, Sichuan province]

The black-winged stilt is a slender wading bird, measuring 35 to 40 centimeters in length. Easily recognizable by its long, pinkish-red legs, it is a vital member of wetland ecosystems. The species typically inhabits lakes, shallow ponds, and marshes in open plains, feeding on invertebrates including annelids, mollusks, shrimp, tadpoles, and insects.

Globally distributed across temperate to tropical regions of Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas, black-winged stilts usually breed in northwestern and northeastern China and overwinter along the southern coast.

"Each spring, large numbers of migratory birds follow established flyways from their wintering grounds to breeding sites," said an official from the Tangjiahe section of the Giant Panda National Park.

"Tangjiahe's rich wetlands and excellent ecological environment have made it an ideal stopover for these birds to rest and refuel. The black-winged stilt was likely drawn to the area's high-quality wetland resources during its spring migration.”

In recent years, the continued development of the Giant Panda National Park has led to significant improvements in the local ecosystem. Tangjiahe, long known as a sanctuary for rare species such as the giant panda and golden snub-nosed monkey, is increasingly serving as a key waypoint along migratory bird routes.