African Snipe vs South American Snipe

Gallinago nigripennis compared with Gallinago paraguaiae

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute African Snipe South American Snipe
Scientific Name Gallinago nigripennis Gallinago paraguaiae
Order Charadriiformes Charadriiformes
Family Scolopacidae Scolopacidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 25.1 cm (9.9 in) 23.2 cm (9.1 in)
Weight 124.25 g (4.38 oz) 120.38 g (4.25 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-4 2-4
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

African Snipe only

South American Snipe only

None

Conservation Status

Least Concern

African Snipe

Least Concern

South American Snipe

About These Birds

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.

South American Snipe

South American Snipe: 27–30 cm, widespread snipe of open marshes, wet grassland, and flooded rice fields from Colombia and Venezuela south to Argentina and Uruguay. Cryptic streaked brown plumage. Probes soft mud for invertebrates. Largely sedentary with some seasonal movements. Common across its range.

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