Magellanic Snipe
Gallinago magellanica
The Magellanic Snipe (Gallinago magellanica) is a uncommon sandpiper found in 4 countries. The Magellanic snipe is a bird in tribe Scolopancinai and subfamily Scolopacinae of family Scolopacidae, the sandpipers and relatives.
About the Magellanic Snipe
The Magellanic snipe is a bird in tribe Scolopancinai and subfamily Scolopacinae of family Scolopacidae, the sandpipers and relatives. It is found in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and the Falkland Islands.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The Magellanic snipe's face has distinct tan and darker brown stripes. Its upperparts have a complex pattern of muted whitish, buffy, rufous, and black on a brown background. Its breast has fine vermiculation and its flanks have dark and light barring. The upper surface of its tail is rufescent with irregular bars and white tips. It has a long, thick, dull pinkish bill with a black tip. Its legs are yellowish.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, July, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in November. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Magellanic Snipe?
- The Magellanic snipe's face has distinct tan and darker brown stripes. Full identification notes are on this page.
- Where can you see a Magellanic Snipe?
- The Magellanic Snipe occurs in 4 countries, including Chile, Argentina, the Falkland Islands and Uruguay.
- What birds look similar to a Magellanic Snipe?
- The Magellanic Snipe is most easily confused with the Pantanal Snipe, the Pin-tailed Snipe and the African Snipe.
- Is the Magellanic Snipe endangered?
- The Magellanic Snipe is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Magellanic Snipe for real
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