Wilson's Snipe vs African Snipe

Gallinago delicata compared with Gallinago nigripennis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Wilson's Snipe African Snipe
Scientific Name Gallinago delicata Gallinago nigripennis
Order Charadriiformes Charadriiformes
Family Scolopacidae Scolopacidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 25.7 cm (10.1 in) 25.1 cm (9.9 in)
Weight 114.4 g (4.04 oz) 124.25 g (4.38 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-6 2-4
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Wilson's Snipe only

None

African Snipe only

None

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Wilson's Snipe

Least Concern

African Snipe

About These Birds

Wilson's Snipe

Wilson's Snipe: 25–27 cm, recently split from Common Snipe; North American counterpart. Very similar plumage but slightly narrower outer tail feathers. Breeds in bogs, wet meadows, and marshes across North America; winters from the southern US to northern South America. Probes soft ground for invertebrates. 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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