Jack Snipe

1 week ago door Lisa Duggan

Points: 65

Spotted

The Jack Snipe is a small, shy, and highly camouflaged wading bird, notoriously difficult to spot. It prefers heavily vegetated, boggy marshes and shallow wetlands.

Where to spot

Breeds in the taiga and tundra zones of northern Europe and Asia. Winters across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia in well-vegetated wetlands.

How to spot

Look for its small size, short bill relative to other snipes, and its 'hunched' appearance. The back often shows distinct yellowish stripes, and the crown is dark with two pale stripes. Its tendency to remain hidden until almost stepped upon, and then take a short, weak flight, is characteristic.

When to spot

Most often encountered during migration (spring and autumn) and in its non-breeding grounds (autumn to spring) in suitable wetland habitats. It is highly elusive.

Where to spot

Breeds in the taiga and tundra zones of northern Europe and Asia. Winters across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia in well-vegetated wetlands.

How to spot

When to spot

Most often encountered during migration (spring and autumn) and in its non-breeding grounds (autumn to spring) in suitable wetland habitats. It is highly elusive.

Credits: Door Dûrzan cîrano - Eigen werk, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14608970

Credits: Wikimedia Commons

When flushed, the Jack Snipe typically flies low, slowly, and erratically for a short distance before dropping quickly back into cover, making it a challenging bird to observe.

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