Gallinago gallinago gallinago

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular names
English : Common snipe
French : Bécassine des marais

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Charadriiformes
Family : Scolopacidae
Notes : 1 other subspecies known

Identification
The species grows to 27 cm in length for a weight of 181 g. Long and straight dirty yellow bill with black tip. Plumage rich brown getting more rufous on flanks and whiter on belly. White bands on face, yellow longitudinal bands on back.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in most of northern Europe and Asia. It winters in central and southern Europe, southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Lives in lowland flooded tundra, marshes with thick vegetation.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is widespread and locally abundant but has been declining because of habitat loss (through drainage) and hunting (mostly in France).
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

Back to “Snipes, sandpipers, plovers and relatives” page