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Breeds in northern [[Palearctic]]; winters in southern [[Europe]], [[Africa]], and [[Asia]]. | Breeds in northern [[Palearctic]]; winters in southern [[Europe]], [[Africa]], and [[Asia]]. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | Formerly | + | Formerly included [[Wilson's Snipe]] (''delicata''), now recognized as a full species. |
====Subspecies==== | ====Subspecies==== | ||
There are 2 subspecies<sup>[[#References|1]]</sup>: | There are 2 subspecies<sup>[[#References|1]]</sup>: | ||
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*''G. g. gallinago'' - protected by AEWA<sup>[[#References|2]]</sup>; breeds in N Palearctic and [[Aleutian Islands]]; winters to [[Africa]], [[India]], [[Indonesia]] | *''G. g. gallinago'' - protected by AEWA<sup>[[#References|2]]</sup>; breeds in N Palearctic and [[Aleutian Islands]]; winters to [[Africa]], [[India]], [[Indonesia]] | ||
[[Image:Common Snipe IMG 0537.jpg|thumb|350px|right|'Drumming'<br />Photo © by {{user|Robert+L+Jarvis|Robert L Jarvis}}<br />Teesdale, [[Yorkshire]], 11 April 2010]] | [[Image:Common Snipe IMG 0537.jpg|thumb|350px|right|'Drumming'<br />Photo © by {{user|Robert+L+Jarvis|Robert L Jarvis}}<br />Teesdale, [[Yorkshire]], 11 April 2010]] | ||
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==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
They breed in marshes, bogs, tundra and wet meadows. | They breed in marshes, bogs, tundra and wet meadows. | ||
Revision as of 11:33, 16 May 2019
- Gallinago gallinago
Identification
- Brown back with creamy stripes
- Striped head with cream central stripe
- White belly
- Barred flanks
- Long bill
Similar Species
Wilson's Snipe3 of North America differs in its courtship display flight, and the winnowing sounds made by its outer rectrices during courtship. It also differs slightly in plumage (Wilson's has reduced white on trailing edge of wing and underwing coverts) and has fewer and narrower rectrices. Pintail Snipe and Swinhoe's Snipe both have shorter tail, not projecting beyond the wings and have longer primary projection. See also the much smaller Jack Snipe.
Distribution
Breeds in northern Palearctic; winters in southern Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Taxonomy
Formerly included Wilson's Snipe (delicata), now recognized as a full species.
Subspecies
There are 2 subspecies1:
- G. g. faeroeensis - breeds in Iceland, Faroe Islands, Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands; winters to British Isles
- G. g. gallinago - protected by AEWA2; breeds in N Palearctic and Aleutian Islands; winters to Africa, India, Indonesia
Habitat
They breed in marshes, bogs, tundra and wet meadows.
Behaviour
The cryptic plumage makes them difficult to see amongst the vegetation. When disturbed, they fly off in a series of zig-zags.
Breeding
The nest is well concealed on the ground.
Vocalisation
The song has been described as "Chip..per Chip..per."
Breeding display produces a drumming sound
<flashmp3>Gallinago gallinago (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
Reference
- Clements, JF. 2010. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2010. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/Clements%206.5.xls/view
- Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds.
- A thread describing the differences between this species and Wilson's Snipe is found [here]
- Wikipedia
- Nation master
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Common Snipe. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 4 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Common_Snipe
External Links
