Fauna
Bird

Common Snipe

Gallinago gallinago

Also known as Eurasian Snipe, Heather-bleater, Fantail Snipe

Common snipes are masters of camouflage that rely on mottled brown and buff plumage to melt entirely into marshland vegetation. When displaying in spring, males perform aerial roller-coaster flights, diving sharply to make their modified outer tail feathers vibrate into a resonant, bleating hum known as winnowing. If flushed by surprise, they erupt from the bog in an erratic zigzag escape flight accompanied by a raspy, scolding call.

WaderCamouflagedMigratory
Common Snipe reference1 / 7
TRinaud / CC BY 4.0 · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyEarthworms, Chironomid Midge Larvae, Freshwater Snails
Predators
  • Peregrine Falcon
  • Red Fox
  • Eurasian Sparrowhawk
ThreatsWetland drainage, agricultural intensification, peat extraction, and hunting pressure.
HabitatsWet meadows, peat bogs, marshes, riverbanks, and tundra bogs.
Life span10–18 years
Classification
  1. FamilyScolopacidae
  2. SpeciesGallinago gallinago
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Scan Field Edges: Use binoculars along marshy tussocks, as their intricate striping blends perfectly with dead grass.
  • Listen at Dusk: Spring evenings are ideal for hearing their vibrating, drum-like courtship flight overhead.
  • Tread Lightly: Keep to established boardwalks to avoid trampling delicate bog turf or flushing ground nests.
Related species
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