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Difference between revisions of "Noble Snipe" - BirdForum Opus

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==Identification==
 
==Identification==
The Noble Snipe, Gallinago nobilis, is a small stocky wader.
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30-32.5 cm. Its upperparts, head and neck are streaked and patterned with dark brown and buff, and gold edges to the feathers form distinct lines down its back. White belly with brown barring on the flanks. The horn-coloured bill is very long and straight. The legs and feet are greyish-green. The sexes are similar, but females are longer billed; immature birds differ only in showing pale fringes on the wing coverts.  
This 30-32.5 cm long snipe has a stocky body and relatively short legs for a wader. Its upperparts, head and neck are streaked and patterned with dark brown and buff, and gold edges to the feathers form distinct lines down its back. The belly is white with brown barring on the flanks. The horn-coloured bill is very long and straight. The legs and feet are greyish-green. The sexes are similar, but females are longer billed; immature birds differ only in showing pale fringes on the wing coverts. The Noble Snipe has a clear melodious call.
 
  
[[Andean Snipe]] occurs within the range of Noble Snipe, but has broad wings, a barred belly and dark underparts. Migrant [[Common Snipe]] and [[Magellan Snipe]] are smaller, have more pointed wings and white trailing edged to the wings.
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==Distribution==
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Andes of [[Colombia]], [[Ecuador]], [[Peru]] and [[Venezuela]]  
  
==Distribution==
 
It breeds in the Andes of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela above or just below the treeline. It is entirely sedentary.
 
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Habitat==
 
==Habitat==
The Noble Snipe is found high altitude wet grassland marshes and swamps from 2,700 - 4,200 m.
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High altitude wet grassland marshes and swamps.
 
==Behaviour==
 
==Behaviour==
Little is known of its biology, but it has an aerial display, which involves flying high in circles, followed by a powerful stoop during which the bird makes a "drumming" sound, caused by vibrations of modified outer tail feathers, lower pitched than that of Common Snipe. It breeds from March to July.
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It forages by pushing its long bill deep into the mud seeking insects and worms. Its plumage provides effective camouflage when the bird stands motionless amongst marsh vegetation.
 
 
The Noble Snipe is usually alone or in pairs, but is difficult to observe on the ground. It forages by pushing its long bill deep into the mud seeking insects and worms. Its cryptic plumage provides effective camouflage when the bird stands motionless amongst marsh vegetation.
 
  
  
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[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Missing Images]]
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[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Missing Images]][[category:incomplete]]

Revision as of 17:25, 30 October 2007

Gallinago nobilis

Identification

30-32.5 cm. Its upperparts, head and neck are streaked and patterned with dark brown and buff, and gold edges to the feathers form distinct lines down its back. White belly with brown barring on the flanks. The horn-coloured bill is very long and straight. The legs and feet are greyish-green. The sexes are similar, but females are longer billed; immature birds differ only in showing pale fringes on the wing coverts.

Distribution

Andes of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela

Taxonomy

Habitat

High altitude wet grassland marshes and swamps.

Behaviour

It forages by pushing its long bill deep into the mud seeking insects and worms. Its plumage provides effective camouflage when the bird stands motionless amongst marsh vegetation.


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