Wilson's Snipe

The erratic flier of wetland margins

Migratory Expert Challenge
10.5"
Length
3.7 oz
Weight
18"
Wingspan
60 mph
Flight Speed

Identification

  • • Short neck, stocky body, short tail
  • • Very long, straight bill (2-3 inches)
  • • Mottled brown/black with tan stripes
  • • No white on back (key ID feature)
  • • Distinctive "scaipe!" flush call

Flight Characteristics

  • • Explosive flush from close range
  • • Erratic zigzag pattern on takeoff
  • • Speeds up to 60 mph
  • • Usually cuts back at least once
  • • Often returns to flush location

Habitat

  • • Wet meadows and marshes
  • • Muddy banks and shorelines
  • • Irrigation ditches
  • • Flooded agricultural fields
  • • Bogs, fens, and wet pastures

Did You Know?

The term "sniper" is believed to have originated from snipe hunting. Successfully shooting these erratic, zigzagging birds required such exceptional marksmanship that skilled snipe hunters became known as "snipers."

The Ultimate Wingshooting Challenge

Wilson's snipe (Gallinago delicata) represents perhaps the most challenging target in all of wingshooting. These cryptically-colored shorebirds hold tight in cover until nearly stepped on, then explode into flight with an erratic zigzag pattern that has humbled generations of wingshooters. While often dismissed as the subject of a practical joke, snipe are very real birds and hunting them is a legitimate—if demanding—pursuit.

Physical Characteristics

  • Length: 10.5 inches
  • Weight: 3.7 ounces (about 105 grams)
  • Wingspan: 18 inches
  • Bill: 2-3 inches, straight, flexible tip
  • Plumage: Cryptic brown/black mottling with tan stripes

Behavior & Habits

  • Diet: Insects, earthworms, larvae (probed from mud)
  • Feeding: Uses flexible bill tip to sense prey
  • Activity: Most active dawn and dusk
  • Flush Call: Raspy "scaipe!" or "kesh"
  • Grouping: A flock is called a "wisp"

The Winnowing Display

One of nature's most distinctive sounds, "winnowing" is produced by male snipe during courtship displays. The haunting, pulsing hum is created not by vocalizations but by specialized outer tail feathers vibrating as the bird dives through the air. This sound, reminiscent of the "whoop, whoop, whoop" of a helicopter, can be heard over breeding grounds from April through June.

Not a Practical Joke

The "snipe hunt" as a prank dates to the mid-19th century, where newcomers were sent into the woods at night with bags to catch non-existent birds. But Wilson's snipe are very real, and hunting them is a legitimate and challenging tradition enjoyed by dedicated wingshooters.

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