Bird Guide

Great Snipe vs Pin-tailed Snipe

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
Pin-tailed Snipe (Gallinago stenura)

Pin-tailed Snipe

Gallinago stenura

Medium113 gWetland

This 25–27 cm long bird is similar to the longer-billed and longer-tailed common snipe. Adults have short greenish-grey legs and a long straight dark bill. The body is mottled brown on top, with cream lines down their back. They are pale underneath with a streaked buff breast and white belly. They have a dark stripe through the eye, with light stripes above and below it. Sexes are similar, and immatures differ only in minor plumage details. The wings are less pointed than common snipe, and lack the white trailing edge of that species.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Pin-tailed Snipe
Recorded by Jochem Verweij · Flight call · Ögiy, O'giinuur, Arkhangai, Mongolia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/) · CC BY 3.0

Where you might meet both

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