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Wilson's Snipe

Gallinago delicata

Least Concern (IUCN Red List)Sandpipers and Allies
Wilson's Snipe, photographed by Susan Elliott

Photo: Susan Elliott · iNaturalist · CC-BY-NC 4.0 (licence)

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Call and song

About the Wilson's Snipe

Plump, well-camouflaged shorebird that blends into wet meadows and marshes. Dark and heavily marked, with pale buffy stripes on back and face. Extremely long bill used to probe into mud for invertebrates. Similar in shape to American Woodcock but much darker with extensive markings on underparts. Fairly common and widespread throughout North America, wintering to northern South America. Found in muddy wetlands, flooded fields, and marshes, usually singly but sometimes gathering in loose groups. When flushed, listen for rough call note. On breeding grounds, watch and listen for aerial flight display, given day and night: a rapid series of hoot-like noises produced by the outer tail feathers in flight.

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

Where it has been recorded

Recorded in 53 of the 253 countries we have eBird lists for. Each opens that country's checklist.

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