Wilson’s Snipe
Gallinago delicata
Wilson's Snipe is a rare migrant to Britain, typically seen during the autumn and spring migrations, often in wetland areas and coastal regions. It is a small, stocky shorebird that can be spotted in the UK, although sightings are infrequent and usually involve individual birds.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify Wilson’s Snipe in the field.
The Wilson's Snipe can be identified by its distinctive breeding plumage, which features a striped back, white underside, and a long, straight bill, as well as its unique winnowing display flight. Its brownish-grey upperparts and pale underside also help to distinguish it from other snipe species.
The Wilson's Snipe is slightly smaller than a Woodpigeon, but larger than a Blue Tit, with a length of around 23-26 cm.
The male Wilson's Snipe has a mottled brown back with yellowish-brown stripes, a white belly, and a buff-coloured breast with dark brown stripes, with little to no seasonal variation in its plumage.
The female Wilson's Snipe is similar to the male in terms of plumage, with the same mottled brown back and white underside, although females may have slightly duller colours.
The Wilson's Snipe has a distinctive, loud, and piercing call that sounds like a sharp "weet-weet-weet" or a loud, nasal "scaip", often heard during its display flights.
Wilson's Snipes are known for their unique winnowing display flights, where they fly in a circular motion while making their distinctive call, and they can also be seen probing into mud and wet soil with their long bills in search of invertebrates and small crustaceans.
The Wilson's Snipe can be confused with the Common Snipe, but it can be distinguished by its shorter bill, more striped back, and distinctive winnowing call, as well as its more slender build and longer tail.
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