Gallinago gallinago
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Mass
~110 g
Habitat
Wetlands and marshes
Diet
Fish and aquatic animals
How to recognize it
The Common Snipe looks plain at first glance and melts into wet grass and muddy ground. Its long straight bill and mottled brown plumage are the easiest things to keep in mind.
It is shy, quiet, and usually stays close to low cover, lifting off only when approached very closely. In courtship, the male circles high, then drops in steep dives and makes its odd drumming sound with the tail feathers.
It uses marshes, bogs, wet meadows, muddy shores, and tundra. It feeds by probing soft mud for insects and earthworms, with some plant material too, and many northern populations move south for winter.
Quick Facts
Listen to the call
The Common Snipe looks plain at first glance and melts into wet grass and muddy ground. Its long straight bill and mottled brown plumage are the easiest things to keep in mind.
It is shy, quiet, and usually stays close to low cover, lifting off only when approached very closely. In courtship, the male circles high, then drops in steep dives and makes its odd drumming sound with the tail feathers.
It uses marshes, bogs, wet meadows, muddy shores, and tundra. It feeds by probing soft mud for insects and earthworms, with some plant material too, and many northern populations move south for winter.
