Swinhoe's Snipe

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Swinhoe's Snipe
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae
Genus: Gallinago
Species: G. megala
Binomial name
Gallinago megala
Swinhoe, 1861

Swinhoe's Snipe, Gallinago megala, also known as Forest Snipe or Chinese Snipe, is a medium-sized (length 27-29 cm, wingspan 38-44 cm, weight 120 gm), long-billed, migratory wader.

Contents

[edit] Identification

Identifiable as a Gallinago snipe by its cryptically-patterned black, brown, buff and white plumage, but not easily distinguished from Latham's and Pin-tailed Snipe in the field.

[edit] Distribution

Breeds mainly in central and southern Siberia and Mongolia. Entire population migrates and spends non-breeding season principally in eastern and southern India, Sri Lanka, south-eastern China, South-East Asia and New Guinea. Recorded on migration in eastern China, and occasionally Japan. Records in Australia mainly from the Top End of the Northern Territory and from north-western Western Australia.

[edit] Habitat

Breeding habitat: forest glades and meadows. Non-breeding habitat: shallow freshwater wetlands of various kinds including paddy fields and sewage farms, with bare mud or shallow water for feeding, with nearby vegetation cover.

[edit] Food

Mainly small invertebrates including earthworms, mollusks and insects.

[edit] Breeding

Display flights and drumming by the males.

[edit] Conservation

Because of wide range and no evidence of significant population decline, the species is assessed as being of Least Concern.

[edit] References

  • BirdLife International. (2006). Species factsheet: Gallinago megala. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 9 February 2007
  • Higgins, P.J.; & Davies, J.N. (eds). (1996). Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume 3: Snipe to Pigeons. Oxford University Press: Melbourne. ISBN 0-19-553070-5
  • Lane, Brett; & Davies, Jeff. (1987). Shorebirds in Australia. RAOU: Melbourne. ISBN 0-17-006824-2
  • National Photographic Index of Australian Wildlife. (1987). The Shorebirds of Australia. Angus & Robertson: Sydney. ISBN 0-207-15348-5


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