The common snipe (Gallinago gallinago) is a small, stocky shorebird found across Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. They inhabit marshes, bogs, tundra and wet meadows. With their long bills, cryptic plumage and erratic flight patterns, snipes can be difficult to spot. Their global population is extremely large, estimated at over 15 million birds. However, in some regions snipe numbers have declined due to habitat loss and hunting. This has raised concerns over whether common snipes are at risk of extinction.
Snipe characteristics
Common snipes are medium-sized waders measuring 25-28 cm long with a wingspan of 39-48 cm. They have short legs, long straight bills and cryptic brown, black and white plumage. This camouflage helps snipes blend into their wetland habitats. A distinctive white stripe runs down their back. Snipes have very short tails and rounded wings.
One of the snipe’s most unusual features is the outer tail feathers. These are specially adapted to produce a winnowing sound during the snipe’s dramatic courtship displays. By vibrating its tail feathers, the snipe creates an eerie, pulsating sound to define its territory and attract a mate.
Snipe distribution and habitat
Common snipes breed across northern parts of Eurasia and North America. Their breeding range extends from Iceland in the west to Siberia in the east. They are strongly migratory, traveling south to warmer regions for the winter. Wintering grounds include southern Europe, northern Africa, the Middle East, north India, China, Japan and the southern USA.
Snipes inhabit marshy areas with dense vegetation including:
- Freshwater marshes
- Wet meadows
- Bogs
- Swamps
- Wet grasslands
- River and lake edges
- Alpine flushes
Ideal snipe habitat has soggy ground covered by grasses, sedges and rushes. The vegetation provides shelter and nesting material. Shallow water areas are used for feeding. Snipes avoid dry areas and completely open water.
Snipe diet and feeding
Common snipes primarily eat insects, worms and other invertebrates. They probe deep into soft, muddy areas to find food. Their long bills allow them to reach food sources out of reach of other wading birds. Snipes mainly feed on:
- Insect larva
- Aquatic worms
- Mollusks
- Crustaceans
- Spiders
- Leeches
Snipes forage day and night when necessary. They are territorial during the breeding season, defending good feeding patches from competitors. Snipes may also feed on plant material such as seeds during winter.
Snipe breeding and nesting
The breeding season occurs from April to June across the northern hemisphere. Snipes display over marshy meadows and bogs to attract mates and defend territories.
Their displays involve rapidly climbing high into the sky, then diving back down while making a winnowing sound with their tail feathers. The eerie, pulsating call can be heard from over 0.6 miles away.
Females lay 4 brown and grey speckled eggs in a well-hidden ground nest. Incubation lasts for 17-21 days. Chicks are precocial, leaving the nest shortly after hatching. The female cares for the chicks until they fledge at around 18-20 days old.
Threats and conservation status
The IUCN Red List categorizes the common snipe as Least Concern. Their global population is extremely large, estimated at 15-17 million individuals. Snipes have an extensive range covering over 54,600,000 km2. Overall the species is not near threatened or endangered.
However, snipe numbers have declined in certain parts of their range due to:
- Wetland drainage and habitat loss
- Increased droughts and dry conditions
- Agricultural intensification
- Urbanization
- Increased disturbance from human recreation
- Hunting pressure
In Europe, common snipe populations decreased by up to 25% between 1970 to 1990. The decline has now stabilized but snipe habitat remains under threat. Hunting snipe is still permitted in several European countries. Around 2.2 million snipes are shot annually across 20 countries. Lead shot poisoning has also impacted some populations.
In North America, habitat loss in the prairies has reduced breeding snipe numbers in Canada. But stable wintering populations in the southern USA and Mexico indicate snipes remain common overall.
Region | Population Trend |
---|---|
Global | Stable |
Europe | Declining, recently stabilized |
Asia | Stable |
Africa | Stable |
North America | Declines in Canada, stable elsewhere |
While snipe populations face local threats, the species remains widespread, adaptable and numerous overall. There is no evidence common snipes are at risk of extinction in the near future. Targeted conservation programs can help restore snipe populations in areas of decline.
Common snipe highlights
- Common snipes are stocky shorebirds found across the northern hemisphere.
- They inhabit marshy wetlands and breed on boggy meadows.
- Snipes probe mud to find invertebrates and have very long bills.
- Males perform dramatic display flights to attract mates.
- Snipe populations are declining in parts of Europe and Canada.
- But the global population is extremely large at over 15 million.
- Habitat conservation programs can help restore snipe numbers.
- The species remains widespread and numerous overall.
Snipe conservation
Targeted conservation initiatives can help stabilize and restore snipe populations in areas of decline. Recommended actions include:
- Preserving and restoring wetland habitats
- Sustainable management of wet grasslands
- Preventing wetland drainage for agriculture
- Banning lead shot for hunting snipe
- Setting sustainable hunting limits
- Increasing protected wetland reserves
- Monitoring national and regional snipe population trends
Implementing these measures where snipe breeding and wintering habitat is threatened will help maintain healthy populations across their range. While vigilance is needed in vulnerable regions, common snipes remain in a healthy state overall.
Frequently asked questions
How many common snipes are there?
The global common snipe population is estimated to number between 15 and 17 million individuals.
Where do common snipes live?
Common snipes breed across northern Europe, Asia and North America. They migrate south to spend winter in southern Europe, north Africa, the Middle East, India, China, Japan and the southern USA.
What do common snipes eat?
Snipes mostly eat invertebrates like insect larvae, worms, mollusks and crustaceans. They probe deep into soft mud to find food.
Why are snipes declining in some areas?
Wetland habitat loss, droughts, hunting and human disturbance have caused declines across parts of Europe and southern Canada. But snipe populations remain stable or increasing elsewhere.
Are common snipes endangered?
No, common snipes remain widespread and numerous, with an extremely large global population. The species is categorized as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Conclusion
The common snipe is an abundant shorebird inhabiting marshy habitats across northern regions. Although declines have occurred in some parts of their range, global populations are extremely large and snipes remain common and widespread. Wetland conservation programs can help restore numbers in vulnerable regions. But there is no evidence this adaptable species is endangered or at risk of extinction.