Jack Snipe Bird Facts (Lymnocryptes minimus)

The Jack Snipe is a small, stocky wader with cryptic plumage. Its upper parts are predominantly dark brown with buff and black streaks, creating excellent camouflage.

The bird has a distinctive long, straight bill and relatively short, greenish legs. It has a dark brown head, with pale lines above the eyes, punctuated by a thin dark brown 'eyebrow'.

Both sexes look similar, with no significant seasonal changes in plumage. Juveniles closely resemble adults but may have slightly fresher-looking feathers with more distinct pale fringes.

The Jack Snipe is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

The Jack Snipe is not typically found in Garden habitats.

The Jack Snipe can be found in Wetland habitats.

The Jack Snipe is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

The Jack Snipe is not typically found in Urban habitats.

The Jack Snipe is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

The Jack Snipe is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

The Jack Snipe is not typically found in Desert habitats.

The Jack Snipe is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

The Jack Snipe is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

The Jack Snipe is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

The Jack Snipe is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Jack Snipes breed in the boreal and subarctic zones of northern Europe and Asia, favouring boggy areas with low vegetation. During winter, they migrate to temperate regions, including parts of western Europe, the Mediterranean, and northern Africa.

In the UK, Jack Snipes are winter visitors, found in wetlands, marshes, and flooded fields from October to March. They are less common than the larger Common Snipe but can be found in similar habitats.

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Jack Snipe. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Norway Russia

Species that pass through the area during migration

Moldova

This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!

Share your thoughts

Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Jack Snipe demonstrates remarkable agility with its distinctive zigzag flight pattern when flushed and its ability to navigate through dense wetland vegetation. Its 'bobbing' behaviour whilst feeding also indicates a high degree of bodily control and coordination.

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

As a small wader, the Jack Snipe isn't particularly strong compared to larger birds. However, it possesses enough strength to perform its aerial displays and migrate long distances, which requires a moderate level of muscular power.

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Jack Snipes show high adaptability by thriving in various wetland habitats across their breeding and wintering ranges. Their ability to withstand extreme cold and be the last wader to leave freezing wetlands demonstrates significant environmental adaptability.

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Jack Snipes are generally non-aggressive birds, preferring to rely on camouflage and remaining motionless to avoid detection. They are typically solitary or found in loose groups, suggesting a low level of intraspecific aggression.

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Jack Snipe's ability to undertake long-distance migrations, flying at speeds up to 50 mph, indicates considerable endurance. Their capacity to withstand harsh weather conditions in their northern breeding grounds and during winter also suggests a high level of stamina.

Jack Snipes feed primarily on small invertebrates found in mud and shallow water. Their diet includes insects, worms, small molluscs, and crustaceans. As well as insects and other invertebrates, plant material forms an important share of their food intake.

They use their long, sensitive bill to probe the soft ground, employing a distinctive 'sewing machine' motion to detect and capture prey.

Jack snipes are crepuscular, feeding at dusk after resting during daylight. Night-time hunting is not uncommon, and they are thought to rely on bright moonlight to aid their nocturnal foraging.

Jack Snipes are known for their remarkable 'bobbing' behaviour, where they rhythmically bounce up and down while feeding. They are solitary birds, typically seen alone or in small, loose groups during migration.

When flushed, they fly in a characteristic zigzag pattern, usually flying only a short distance before dropping back into cover.

Jack Snipes are generally silent birds, especially outside their breeding grounds.

During the breeding season, males produce a distinctive sound during display flights, described as a repeated 'galloping' or 'ticking' noise. This sound, produced by vibrating tail feathers, is often likened to a distant horse's hooves: 'tup-tup-tup-tup'.

Jack Snipes breed in the far north, with the breeding season typically lasting from May to July. Males perform aerial displays to attract females, flying in wide circles and producing a distinctive drumming sound with their tail feathers.

The nest is a shallow depression on the ground, usually well-hidden in dense vegetation. Females typically lay 4 eggs, which are olive-brown with dark spots.

Incubation lasts about 24 days, primarily carried out by the female. Chicks are precocial and can leave the nest shortly after hatching, fledging after about 3 weeks.

The Jack Snipe typically lives for 3 to 5 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

While the Jack Snipe is currently listed as Least Concern, it faces threats from habitat loss due to drainage of wetlands and changes in land use. Climate change may also impact its breeding and wintering grounds. Conservation efforts focus on protecting and managing suitable wetland habitats.

Look for Jack Snipes on muddy edges of marshes, bogs, and wet meadows
Watch for their distinctive bobbing motion while feeding
Be patient, as they often remain motionless when approached
In the UK, search for them during winter months in suitable wetland habitats

Jack Snipes are preyed upon by various raptors, including harriers, falcons, and owls. Mammals such as foxes and mustelids may also hunt them, especially during the breeding season.

Jack Snipes have exceptionally large eyes for their size, positioned high on their head, allowing for nearly 360-degree vision.
They are known for their ability to withstand extreme cold, often being the last wader to leave freezing wetlands.
Despite their small size, Jack Snipes can fly at speeds of up to 50 mph during migration.

Already have an account?

0/500 characters (minimum 20 required)

Why do Jack Snipe bob?

Bobbing is a fascinating behaviour trait seen in jack snipes, and their springy, bouncing movements are thought to disturb invertebrates living beneath the ground, causing them to rise to the surface, making them easier to catch and eat.

Visual Identification

Appearance

Size

Colours

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Distribution

Elevation Range

Climate zones

Distribution Map

Distribution by Region

Get Bird Updates in Your Inbox

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

Bird Attributes Explained

Attribute Categories:

Understanding the Ratings:

Agility

Strength

Adaptability

Aggressiveness

Endurance

Diet

Behaviour

Vocalisation

Nesting & Breeding

Lifespan

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Population Data

Rarity Index

Birdwatching Tips

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Family:

Predators

Did You Know?

Was this bird profile helpful?

Community Experience

Community Ratings

Latest Community Reviews

No reviews yet

Community Reviews

Create Your Free Account Welcome Back!

Rate Jack Snipe

FAQs

Why do Jack Snipe bob?

Similar Birds

Common Snipe

References