Bird Guide

Common Snipe vs Great Snipe

Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)

Common Snipe

Gallinago gallinago

Medium113 gWetland

Adults are 25–27 cm (9.8–10.6 in) in length with a 44–47 cm (17–19 in) wingspan and a weight of 80–140 g (2.8–4.9 oz) (up to 180 g (6.3 oz) pre-migration). They have short greenish-grey legs and a very long (5.5–7 cm (2.2–2.8 in)) straight dark bill. The body is mottled brown with straw-yellow stripes on top and pale underneath. They have a dark stripe through the eye, with light stripes above and below it. The wings are pointed. The common snipe is the most widespread of several similar snipes. It most closely resembles the Wilson's snipe (G.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Common Snipe
Recorded by Kevin Guille · Song · Birky, Lyubeshivs'kyi district, Volyn Oblast, Ukraine · CC0
Photo: Hobbyfotowiki · CC0
Great Snipe (Gallinago media)

Great Snipe

Gallinago media

Medium170 gWetland

At 26–30 cm (10–12 in) in length and a 42–50 cm (17–20 in) wingspan, adults are only slightly larger, but much bulkier, than the common snipe and have a shorter bill. The body is mottled brown on top and barred underneath. They have a dark stripe through the eye. The wings are broad, and a pale wingbar is visible in flight. The voice is described as a faint yeah. Mating display calls of groups can be heard at long distances (more than 300 m (330 yd)) and sound like a mixture of firecracker wind-up xylophone sounds.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Great Snipe
Recorded by Robert Petersen · Song · Knivbergavägen, Norrköping Municipality, Östergötland County, Sweden · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: konstantinseliverstov · CC BY 4.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Common Snipe and Great Snipe.