Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinago
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Common Snipe is a small wader with cryptic plumage. Its body is mottled brown and black, with buff stripes on the back and crown. The long, straight bill is dark brown, measuring about 6-7 cm in length. They are stocky birds with large yellowish legs and unwebbed feet.
Both sexes look similar, although males have longer tail feathers and shorter bills. There are no significant seasonal changes. Juveniles resemble adults but may have slightly more buff-tipped feathers on the wings.
Size
Length
25cm to 27cm
Wingspan
44cm to 47cm
Weight
80g to 140g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Brown Black
Secondary Colour
White Buff
Beak Colour
Brown
Leg Colour
Olive
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Common Snipes inhabit a variety of wetland habitats, including bogs, marshes, wet meadows, and the edges of ponds and streams. They are widely distributed across Europe, Asia, and Central and East Africa.
In the UK, they are year-round residents in suitable habitats, with numbers boosted by winter visitors from northern Europe. They occur in suitable habitats throughout the British Isles, with the exception of high-lying parts of Scotland.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 3,000 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subarctic, Boreal
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Common 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
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!
Share your thoughtsBird 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.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Common Snipe displays remarkable agility, particularly in its erratic flight patterns. Its ability to perform complex aerial displays and evade predators with swift, zigzagging movements demonstrates high manoeuvrability.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Whilst not particularly strong for its size, the Common Snipe possesses enough strength to probe into mud and extract prey. Its relatively small body size limits its overall strength rating.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Common Snipes show good adaptability, inhabiting various wetland habitats from sea level to 3,000 metres elevation. Their ability to thrive in different climates and their cryptic plumage for camouflage indicate strong adaptive traits.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Generally not an aggressive species, Common Snipes are secretive and prefer to avoid confrontation. However, they may display some territorial behaviour during breeding season, hence the moderate score.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Common Snipes demonstrate good endurance, particularly during migration. Their ability to fly long distances and survive in diverse habitats, coupled with their capacity for frequent probing for food, suggests above-average endurance for a bird of their size.
Diet
Common Snipes primarily feed on invertebrates found in soft mud, including worms, insects, and small molluscs. They use their long, sensitive bills to probe the ground, often feeding by touch rather than sight.
Occasionally, they may consume small amounts of plant material, berries and seeds.
Behaviour
Common Snipes are secretive birds, often remaining motionless to avoid detection. They probe soft mud with their long bills, using sensitive tips to locate prey.
During the breeding season, males perform spectacular aerial displays known as 'drumming', producing a distinctive sound with their outer tail feathers.
Vocalisation
The Common Snipe's most distinctive sound is the 'drumming' produced during breeding displays. This winnowing noise, created by air rushing through the outer tail feathers, sounds like 'hu-hu-hu-hu-hu'. It's similar in a way to a bleating goat.
When flushed, they often emit a sharp, raspy 'scaap' call.
Nesting & Breeding
Common Snipes breed from April to August, with males performing aerial displays to attract mates. Females typically select the nesting site and build the nest.
Nests are simple scrapes on the ground, often hidden in dense vegetation near water. The female lays 3-4 olive-green eggs with dark spots.
Incubation lasts about 18-20 days, primarily by the female. Chicks are precocial and can leave the nest within hours of hatching, fledging after about 19-20 days.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While listed as Least Concern globally, Common Snipes face localised threats from habitat loss and degradation. Wetland conservation efforts benefit this species. In some regions, sustainable hunting practices are implemented to manage populations.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Common Snipes in wet meadows, bogs, and marshy areas
- Listen for the distinctive 'drumming' sound during breeding season
- Observe early morning or late evening when they're most active
- Use binoculars to spot their cryptic plumage against vegetation
- In the UK, visit nature reserves with wetland habitats for better chances of sighting
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Predators
Common Snipes are preyed upon by various raptors, including peregrine falcons and hen harriers. Ground predators such as foxes and weasels may also target nests and young.
Did You Know?
- The Common Snipe's eyes are set far back on its head, allowing it to see potential predators while probing for food.
- Their long bill is flexible at the tip, enabling them to open it underground to grasp prey.
- The term 'sniper' originates from the difficulty of shooting this fast-flying, erratic bird.
- They can swim well, although this behaviour is rarely seen. Unlike most waders, Snipes can perch on relatively small branches, although they are more comfortable on the ground, on rocks, or on posts.
FAQs
Do people eat Common Snipe?
Snipes are popular gamebirds, prized by hunters and sold by some butchers. Interestingly, these small birds are traditionally cooked without removing most of their innards.
Is a Snipe a real bird?
To many, the Snipe is a bird of fiction, conjured up to fool hopeful young hunters into sitting out alone as a practical joke or right of passage.
For this prank, the victim is instructed to sit out in the marsh at night while attempting to lure in or capture a bird whose description varies according to those who describe it!
Of course, the Snipe is a real bird, although its shy nature makes it challenging to see and even more difficult to capture.
Can you hunt Snipe?
Snipe hunting is popular with wing shooters in many parts of the world. These small birds are flushed from their wetland habitats, and their zig-zagging flight path makes them a challenging but rather unsubstantial target. Open seasons and bag limits vary by country and state.
Similar Birds
References
- 1 2
website: BirdLife International. 2019. Gallinago gallinago (amended version of 2017 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T22693097A155504420.
View source - 3
report, 2015: Wetlands International; EBCC
- 4
website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
View source
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