Jameson's Snipe

Overview

Jameson's snipe (Gallinago jamesoni), also known as the Andean snipe, is a small, stocky wader that is entirely sedentary with no evidence of migration. It breeds in the Andes of South America and is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List, although its population size remains unknown.

Identification

• Length of 30–32 cm with a stocky body and relatively short, yellowish-green legs and feet.
• Streaked and patterned upperparts in warm brown and buff, with gold feather edges forming lines down the back that are less sharply defined than in most snipe species.
• Long, straight, and fairly robust horn-colored bill, with a white belly featuring brown barring.
• Exhibits a heavy, woodcock-like flight on broad wings lacking a white trailing edge, and makes a 'whee-tschwu' call followed by a drumming sound during its display.

Habitat

The species inhabits marshy areas where grassland and forest intergrade, typically at altitudes ranging from 2,100 to 3,800 m, with a concentration between 3,000 and 3,500 m. Its breeding range covers the Andes of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela, spanning an estimated extent of 260,000 km².

Diet

Forages by pushing its long bill deep into the mud to seek insects and worms. Its cryptic plumage provides effective camouflage when standing motionless amongst marsh vegetation.

Did you know?

The bird is usually seen only on its display flight, which involves flying high in circles followed by a dive that produces a drumming sound caused by the vibration of modified outer tail feathers. Its scientific name commemorates the Scottish botanist William Jameson.