Dunlin vs African Snipe

Calidris alpina compared with Gallinago nigripennis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Dunlin African Snipe
Scientific Name Calidris alpina Gallinago nigripennis
Order Charadriiformes Charadriiformes
Family Scolopacidae Scolopacidae
Conservation Status Near Threatened Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 23.0 cm (9.1 in) 25.1 cm (9.9 in)
Weight 60.45000000000001 g (2.13 oz) 124.25 g (4.38 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 3-4 2-4
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Dunlin only

None

African Snipe only

None

Conservation Status

Near Threatened

Dunlin

Least Concern

African Snipe

About These Birds

Dunlin

Dunlin: 16–22 cm, abundant small Holarctic shorebird forming huge estuary flocks. Breeding plumage features rufous back and black belly patch. Breeds on Arctic and subarctic tundra circumpolarly; winters on temperate and tropical mudflats. Feeds by probing soft sediment for invertebrates. Multiple subspecies with differing migration routes.

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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