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Wilson's Snipe

Gallinago delicata ORDER: CHARADRIIFORMES FAMILY: SCOLOPACIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

A common shorebird of wet, grassy spots, the Wilson's Snipe has an extremely long bill that it uses to probe in the mud for small invertebrates. Its camouflage is so good that it often is not seen before it flushes from the grass.

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Appearance

Shorebirds
Shorebirds
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Medium-sized shorebird.
  • Very long bill.
  • Short legs.
  • Brown with boldly striped back and head.

Immature Description

Juvenile like adult, but feathers with larger pale edges to body feathers.

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Similar Species

  • American Woodcock similar, but lacks bold stripes down the back, has a larger head and eye, has black bars across crown, is plain orange-buff underneath, and has more rounded wings.
  • Dowitchers have longer legs, lack the stripes on the back and down the crown, and have a white rump and up the back.