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Common Snipe

Gallinago gallinago

Least Concern (IUCN Red List)Sandpipers and Allies
Common Snipe, photographed by Thorarinn Torfason

Photo: Thorarinn Torfason · Pexels · Pexels License (licence)

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Call and song

About the Common Snipe

Squat, cryptically-plumaged shorebird with a very long bill. Inhabits a wide range of wetland habitats, from damp meadows to saltmarshes. Mostly inconspicuous, feeding in muddy ground by probing with its bill, usually near reeds or other grassy cover. Often not seen until flushed, when it usually rises from fairly close range with a rough rasping call. Breeding birds are more conspicuous, perching on fence posts. In display flight, birds stoop from high overhead and produce a pulsating, bleating sound from air passing through their fanned tail. In Asia, beware of extremely similar Pin-tailed, Swinhoe's, and Latham's Snipes, all of which lack the white trailing edge of Common and have a slower, less erratic flight.

Species account: eBird.org, fetched 2025-12-26 · How these pages are made

Where it has been recorded

Recorded in 149 of the 253 countries we have eBird lists for. Each opens that country's checklist.

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