Spotted Sandpiper vs African Snipe

Actitis macularius compared with Gallinago nigripennis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Spotted Sandpiper African Snipe
Scientific Name Actitis macularius Gallinago nigripennis
Order Charadriiformes Charadriiformes
Family Scolopacidae Scolopacidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 20.1 cm (7.9 in) 25.1 cm (9.9 in)
Weight 45.0 g (1.59 oz) 124.25 g (4.38 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 3-5 2-4
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Spotted Sandpiper only

None

African Snipe only

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Spotted Sandpiper

Least Concern

African Snipe

About These Birds

Spotted Sandpiper

Spotted Sandpiper: 18–20 cm, North American counterpart of Common Sandpiper with bold round black spots on white underparts in breeding plumage. Breeds along freshwater streams and lakes across North America; winters from southern US to southern South America. Bobs body constantly. Polyandrous breeding system. Long-distance migrant.

African Snipe

African Snipe: 25–28 cm, medium-large snipe resident in high-altitude wetlands, bogs, and marshy grassland of eastern and southern Africa from Ethiopia and Sudan to the Cape. Cryptic brown-and-buff streaking. Probes soft mud for invertebrates. Sedentary. Performs display 'drumming' flights with spread tail in breeding season.

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