Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)

Appearance:

By far the most common snipe in most areas. Bill longer than congeners. Belly white, in contrast to barred flanks. Upperparts of wings with white trailing edge, underparts with white wingbars. Diagnostic escape flight when flushed, with zig-zag change of direction, characteristic call and long period of circling the area before landing (or leaving altogether).

Sound:

Quite vocal, especially at breeding ground. Almost always give diagnostic hoarse and nasal "kaaat" call when flushed. Song an unmistakable bleating, drumming sound produced by vibrating tail feathers in sky-dives. Another territorial call is a rhythmic, mechanical and sharp "tika-tika-tka", or "ika-ka-ka".

Display, flush:

Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file


Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC
Facts:
Length (cm):
25-27
Wingspan (cm):
44-47
Weight (gram):
80-140
Size group:
Thrush-size
Similar species (image):
Similar species (sound):
Silhouette Group:
Waders
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Several different images of the species
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Several different sounds of the species
Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file
Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file