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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