Wilson's Snipe

Wilson's Snipe is a plump, well-camouflaged shorebird of North American wetlands, more often heard or flushed underfoot than seen at rest, thanks to its superb cryptic plumage of buff, brown, and black stripes that blends seamlessly with marsh vegetation.

It has a very long, straight bill used for deep probing in soft mud, short legs, a stocky body, and large eyes set unusually far back and high on the head, giving it a wide field of view to watch for predators while feeding head-down.

When flushed, Wilson's Snipe explodes into a fast, erratic, zigzagging flight accompanied by a harsh call, a behavior that has made it a classic quarry for wingshooting enthusiasts historically, though today it is best appreciated for its remarkable display behavior.

Key field marks

• Extremely long, straight bill relative to body size
• Bold buff and dark brown longitudinal stripes on the back and head
• Short legs and a stocky, chunky body shape
• Large eyes set far back on the head
• Erratic, zigzagging flushing flight
• Harsh, rasping "scaipe" call given when flushed

Similar species

• Common Snipe (Eurasian counterpart): extremely similar in appearance; best distinguished by range, subtle differences in wing pattern, and the distinct pitch of the winnowing sound produced by narrower outer tail feathers.
• American Woodcock: found in woodland rather than open marsh, rounder body, different flight pattern, and lacks the bold striping pattern of the snipe.
• Dowitchers: longer legs, different bill shape, found in open mudflats rather than dense marsh vegetation.

Habitat

Wilson's Snipe inhabits wet meadows, marshes, bogs, and the muddy edges of ponds and streams, relying on dense low vegetation for cover while probing soft ground for food.

Range and migration

It breeds across much of Canada, Alaska, and the northern United States in wetland habitats. Many populations migrate south to winter across the southern United States, Mexico, and Central America, with some remaining in milder parts of the breeding range year-round.

Behavior

During the breeding season, male Wilson's Snipe perform a spectacular aerial display known as "winnowing," flying high in circles and then diving steeply; air rushing through specially shaped outer tail feathers produces an eerie, hollow, tremulous sound audible from a considerable distance.

Voice

Besides the mechanical winnowing sound, the snipe gives a harsh, nasal "scaipe" call when flushed, and a repetitive "chip-per" song from perches during the breeding season.

Feeding

It probes deeply into soft mud with its long, sensitive bill tip to locate earthworms, insect larvae, and other invertebrates, often feeding largely by touch with the bill submerged.

Nesting and breeding

The female builds a well-hidden ground nest in dense marsh vegetation and incubates a clutch of typically four eggs; the precocial young leave the nest soon after hatching but are tended by the parents, who often split the brood between them.