Snipes are elusive, medium-sized wading birds recognized for their unique appearance and behaviors. They are real birds, despite their association with a popular prank.
Identifying a Snipe
Snipes possess distinct physical characteristics aiding camouflage. These birds typically measure 23-28 cm in length, with a wingspan of 39-47 cm. Their plumage features mottled brown, black, and buff or straw-yellow stripes on their upper parts, providing exceptional camouflage. Their undersides are paler, often white or light tan.
A prominent feature is their long, straight, dark bill, measuring approximately 5.5 to 7 centimeters. This bill is roughly twice the size of their head. Snipes also have short, greenish-grey legs. Their eyes are set far back on their heads, an adaptation allowing a wide field of vision, even while foraging.
The Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) is a widespread species found across Europe and Asia. In North America, the similar Wilson’s Snipe (Gallinago delicata) was considered a subspecies until 2003, when it gained separate species status. Wilson’s Snipes typically have eight pairs of tail feathers, compared to the Common Snipe’s seven.
Where Snipes Live and What They Eat
Snipes inhabit freshwater wetlands, including marshes, bogs, wet meadows, and damp forest openings. They also frequent pond edges and riverbanks. While avoiding overly dense vegetation, snipes prefer areas with patchy ground cover for effective concealment.
Their diet primarily consists of invertebrates found in soft, muddy substrates. Earthworms, insect larvae such as crane fly and horse fly larvae, snails, small crustaceans, and mollusks form a significant portion of their diet. They may also consume small amounts of plant material, including seeds.
Snipes employ a foraging technique using their long, sensitive bills to probe the ground. The tip of their bill is equipped with sensory receptors, allowing them to detect prey movement beneath the surface without relying on sight. This specialized bill can also open only at the tip, a mechanism called rhynchokinesis, enabling them to grasp and swallow prey while keeping the bill submerged. This probing action often leaves characteristic small, 1/8-inch holes in the mud.
Distinctive Snipe Behaviors
Snipes are known for their ability to camouflage. Their intricately patterned plumage allows them to blend seamlessly with ground vegetation. When a potential threat approaches, snipes often “freeze” in place, remaining motionless. This behavior, along with their tendency to crouch, helps conceal their paler undersides, preventing reflection and revealing their position.
If disturbed, snipes erupt into a distinctive “zigzag” escape flight. This erratic and rapid flight pattern, reaching speeds up to 60 mph, serves as a defense mechanism to confuse and evade predators. They typically fly a short, twisting course before dropping suddenly back into cover.
The aerial display known as “winnowing” is performed by males during courtship and territorial defense. During this display, the bird flies in high circles and executes shallow dives. The “winnowing” sound, described as a hollow whinnying, drumming, or bleating, is produced by the vibration of their outer tail feathers as air rushes over them. This non-vocal sound is an aerodynamic phenomenon created by specially stiffened tail feathers.
Conservation and Common Misconceptions
Many snipe species, including the Common Snipe and Wilson’s Snipe, are listed as “Least Concern” by the IUCN. However, these populations face challenges. Habitat loss remains a threat, as snipes depend on freshwater wetlands. Drainage of wetlands and habitat alteration can lead to a shortage of food and suitable breeding grounds.
Collisions with human structures, such as communication towers, pose a threat to snipe populations. Despite their conservation status, some regional populations have experienced declines. Snipes are also hunted as game birds in some areas, though this activity is managed by wildlife services.
A widespread cultural misconception surrounds the “snipe hunt,” a prank where an unsuspecting person hunts a non-existent creature. This tradition contributes to the misunderstanding that snipes are mythical. Snipes are real birds. The term “sniper,” referring to a skilled marksman, originally described an expert hunter adept at shooting snipes due to their erratic flight and camouflage, highlighting their elusive nature.