Himantopus himantopus, commonly known as the Black-winged Stilt, is found across a broad range encompassing parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Specific regions include southern and eastern Europe, most of sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, parts of Southeast Asia, and coastal Australia.

Black-winged Stilts typically inhabit shallow water bodies, including freshwater and saline environments such as marshes, mudflats, coastal lagoons, and estuaries. These wetlands offer ideal feeding grounds with their extensive mudflats or shallow water areas, where they can wade and forage. The species often prefers environments with a warm climate and tends to avoid regions with dense vegetation, opting instead for open waters with limited cover, making it easier to spot predators.

As wading birds, Black-winged Stilts play a crucial role in their ecosystems as insect and fish feeders. They use their long legs to navigate through wetlands, feeding on insects, crustaceans, and other small invertebrates found in mud or shallow waters. Their foraging behavior helps control insect populations, and they contribute to the nutrient cycle within their wetland habitats. Their presence in diverse habitats—from saline to freshwater systems—indicates their adaptability to varying salinity levels in their efforts to exploit feeding opportunities.