Wilson's Snipe

Wilson's Snipe

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

A common shorebird of wet, grassy spots, the Wilson's Snipe has an extremely long bill that it uses to probe in the mud for small invertebrates. Its camouflage is so good that it often is not seen before it flushes from the grass.

Description

• Medium-sized shorebird.
• Very long bill.
• Short legs.
• Brown with boldly striped back and head.

• Size: 27-32 cm (11-13 in)
• Wingspan: 41-44 cm (16-17 in)
• Weight: 79-146 g (2.79-5.15 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes look similar, but females have longer bills and shorter tails.

Sound

Display call a harsh "tuk-a-tuk-a-tuk&" Winnowing a hollow "hu-hu-hu" sound. Makes rasping "scaipe" when flushed.

Conservation Status

Common. Hunted in many places.

Other Names

Bécassine de Wilson (French)
Agachona común, Becasina chillona (Spanish)
Common Snipe (English)

Cool Facts

• The Wilson's Snipe was recently recognized as a different species from the Common Snipe of Eurasia. The two snipes look extremely similar, but differ in the shape, patterning, and usually the number of the tail feathers. The Wilson's Snipe typically has 16 tail feathers, whereas the Common Snipe has 14. These numbers vary, however, and a Common Snipe may have from 12 to 18 tail feathers.
• The hollow, low whistled sound called "winnowing" is used by the male to defend his territory and attract a mate. It is not a vocal sound, but rather is produced by air flowing over the outstretched tail feathers with each wingbeat. The outer tail feathers are greatly modified to produce the sound and are thin and curved.

• The long bill of the Wilson's Snipe is flexible. The tips can be opened and closed with no movement at the base of the bill. Sensory pits at the tip of the bill allow the snipe to feel its prey deep in the mud.

• The clutch size of the Wilson's Snipe is almost always four eggs. The male snipe takes the first two chicks to hatch and leaves the nest with them. The female takes the last two and cares for them. Apparently the parents have no contact after that point.

Sources used to construct this page:

Mueller, H. 1999. Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago). In The Birds of North America, No. 417 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.