Common Snipe
1. Bird Name
The bird under profile is the Common Snipe, scientifically named Gallinago gallinago. It is also known as the Eurasian Snipe, particularly in North America.
2. Appearance
The Common Snipe is well-known for its distinctively long, straight, and pointed beak. This characteristic is complemented by a set of mottled brown, black, and white feathers, which serve as the perfect camouflage in marshy grounds, their preferred habitats. The geometry of the body is elongated with short legs and a long tail. The eye color is typically a bright orange, which stands out against its largely neutral-toned body. Both sexes look alike, although females are slightly larger than the males.
3. Size
On average, this species measures about 25-27 cm (9.8-10.6 inches) in length. The wingspan ranges from 44 to 47 cm (17.3 to 18.5 inches). The weight of an adult Common Snipe typically falls between 80 and 140 grams.
4. Habitat & Distribution
The Common Snipe is widely distributed across the continents of Europe and Asia. It’s typically found in marshes, bogs, and wet meadows during the breeding season while in winters, it migrates to warmer regions, including Africa and Southern Asia. The bird shows a particular preference for habitats that involve dense vegetation near shallow waters.
5. Interesting Facts
Interestingly, snipes can display a ‘winnowing’ behavior, where they dive in a zigzag pattern to generate a unique ‘drumming’ sound with their tail feathers, usually to ward off predators or during courtship. During migratory flights, they can reach altitudes upto 6,000 meters, equivalent to flying over Mount Everest!
6. Diet
Their diet mainly includes insects, earthworms, and other small invertebrates. They also consume plant material and seeds. The bird’s long beak enables it to probe deep into the wet ground to extract such food sources.
7. Behavior & Sounds
During breeding season, the Common Snipe is known to display fascinating aerial acrobatics during courtship rituals. Males will circle high in the sky and descend rapidly, making a unique, haunting sound identified as ‘drumming’ or ‘bleating.’ This sound, surprisingly, is not vocal but produced by the vibration of its two outer tail feathers during the abrupt descends.
8. Conservation Status
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the Common Snipe’s status is currently of ‘Least Concern.’ However, habitat loss due to human activity is a growing concern for this species.
9. Lifespan
Common Snipes can live for up to eight years in the wild. Lifespan data in captivity is not widely available.
10. Additional Notes
In some regions, the Common Snipe is hunted for sport or food, known colloquially as ‘snipe hunting.’ Their role in the ecosystem is crucial as they control the population of insects and other small invertebrates. Furthermore, their nesting style, where they lay four eggs in a well-hidden nest on the ground, often lined with leaves and grass, is fascinating, revealing their masterful use of camouflage for survival.
