Imperial Snipe vs African Snipe

Gallinago imperialis compared with Gallinago nigripennis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Imperial Snipe African Snipe
Scientific Name Gallinago imperialis Gallinago nigripennis
Order Charadriiformes Charadriiformes
Family Scolopacidae Scolopacidae
Conservation Status Near Threatened Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 30.6 cm (12.0 in) 25.1 cm (9.9 in)
Weight 196.0 g (6.91 oz) 124.25 g (4.38 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2 2-4
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Imperial Snipe only

African Snipe only

Conservation Status

Near Threatened

Imperial Snipe

Least Concern

African Snipe

About These Birds

Imperial Snipe

Imperial Snipe: 28–31 cm, large robust snipe of Andean cloud forest from Venezuela and Colombia south to Peru. Cryptic dark brown plumage with fine pale streaking. Inhabits dense wet forest above 2,000 m; probes soft soil for worms and invertebrates. NT. Rarely observed; known primarily from display calls at dusk in forest.

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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