Banner Photo by Ann Kramer

Featured Bird

MEET THE WILSON’S SNIPE (Gallinago delicata) – by Jeff Sinker

Pudgy and well camouflaged, the Wilson’s Snipe is among the most widespread shorebirds in North America, but it can be tough to find. Preferring wet habitats with adjacent dense vegetation, spotting these birds is easier during migration and breeding season when they often perch on fenceposts. When in flight, their distinctive zig-zag flight pattern and unique “winnowing” sound, made when air passes through their tail feathers, are helpful clues to separate them from other shorebirds. 

Often confused with dowitchers, Wilson’s Snipe have “snipe stripes” which are lacking on dowitchers. These yellow stripes on the back of the snipe are a distinguishing field mark. Wilson’s Snipe have extra-large pectoral muscles which account for about one-quarter of the bird’s weight (a higher percentage than other shorebirds).  

Snipes bury their long bills deep into soft, wet soil to extract invertebrates. The design of the bill allows snipe to slurp up a meal without removing their bill from the soil. The eyes are set far back on the head, giving snipe the opportunity to see what is behind them, so it is tough for a predator to sneak up on them from behind. 

The female handles all of the egg incubation and after a successful breeding pair fledges their chicks, the family splits up. The male takes the two oldest chicks with him, the female takes the younger chicks with her, and they go their separate ways.  

Wilson’s Snipe are dependent upon wetlands, pretty much everything from ponds and streams to wet meadows and estuaries, so loss of this habitat negatively affects them. They are also vulnerable to collisions with cars, buildings, communication towers and similar structures. 

Learn more: www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Wilsons_Snipe

Photo credit: Wilson’s Snipe by Bryan Calk/Macaulay Library

Range map: www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Wilsons_Snipe

Range map :  purple (year-round); blue (winter); yellow (migration); orange (breeding)