# Wilson's Snipe (*Gallinago delicata*) Wilson's Snipe is a special bird known for its long beak and beautiful stripes. It loves to hide in wet places and can be hard to spot because of its clever camouflage. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Wilson's Snipe](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Wilson's_Snipe_on_a_fencepost%252C_central_Utah.jpg&width=800) Photo: en:User:Talshiarr (Sean Breazeal), CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wilson's_Snipe_on_a_fencepost%252C_central_Utah.jpg) ## Appearance The Wilson's Snipe has a chunky body with mottled brown, black, and buff plumage, giving it excellent camouflage. Its head features distinct dark and light stripes, and it possesses a remarkably long, straight, needle-like bill, distinguishing it from most similar-sized wetland birds. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Charadriiformes - **Family:** Scolopacidae - **Genus:** Gallinago ## Interesting facts - A group of these birds is called a "wisp"—imagine a wispy cloud of birds! - The tip of their long bill is flexible and can open underground to snatch hidden snacks! - Their eyes are set far back on their head, giving them almost 360-degree vision! - They can "freeze" perfectly still in wetlands, blending in totally with reeds and grass! ## Special abilities - **Sound Spinner:** Wilson's Snipe makes a unique 'winnowing' sound with vibrating tail feathers during diving display flights to attract mates. - **Mud Magnet:** Wilson's Snipe has a super sensitive, flexible bill tip that helps them find and grab hidden worms deep in the mud. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 23-28 cm - **Wingspan:** 39-45 cm - **Weight:** 0.075-0.15 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-8 years - **Speed:** 65 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-5 - **Incubation:** 18-20 days - **Migration Distance:** 7000 km ## Diet & Feeding They slurp up worms and insects from the mud using their super long, sensitive beaks! - **Primary Foods:** earthworms, insect larvae, crustaceans, snails, small seeds - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — A common raptor that preys on various ground-dwelling birds. - **Eaten by:** [American Mink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-mink) (*Neovison vison*) — A wetland predator that hunts birds and their eggs near water. - **Eats:** Common Earthworm (*Lumbricus terrestris*) — A primary food source found by probing wetland soil. - **Eats:** Common Midge (*Chironomus plumosus*) — Small insect larvae collected from the muddy bottom of shallow water. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. - [Threatened](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/threatened): Threatened status denotes a species likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future without effective conservation interventions. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance so you don't scare them away. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Wilson's Snipe? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Wilson's Snipe? 23-28 cm ### What is Wilson's Snipe's wingspan? 39-45 cm ### How much does Wilson's Snipe weigh? 0.075-0.15 kg ### How long does Wilson's Snipe live? 2-8 years ### How fast can Wilson's Snipe move? 65 km/h ### What does Wilson's Snipe eat? They slurp up worms and insects from the mud using their super long, sensitive beaks! ### Where is Wilson's Snipe usually found? Wetlands ## Where to spot - [Coleman Station Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/coleman-station-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District - [Liston Range Rear Light](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/liston-range-rear-light) — Delaware, US · Historic District - [Crowsnest Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/crowsnest-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see Wilson's Snipe](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/wilsons-snipe) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Wilson's Snipe: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/wilsons-snipe)