General

Wilson's Snipe: Medium-sized sandpiper with brown and black mottled upperparts and distinct buff stripes on back. Underparts are white with dark bars on sides and flanks. Head, neck, and breast are heavily streaked. Wings are dark brown with nearly black primaries. Bill is long and straight. Tail is black with broad, red-brown central bar and white tip. Sexes are similar.

Range and Habitat

Wilson's Snipe: Breeds in northern U.S. and Canada. Spends winters as far south as northern South America. Prefers freshwater marshes and swamps, frequents open landscapes.

Breeding and Nesting

Wilson's Snipe: Four olive to brown eggs with brown splotches and spots are laid in a ground scrape lined with grass. Incubation ranges from 18 to 20 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Wilson's Snipe: Feeds on insects and earthworms taken from mud by probing with its long bill.

Vocalization

Wilson's Snipe: On breeding grounds gives "wheat-wheat-wheat-wheat" sound.

Similar Species

Wilson's (Common) Snipe: American Woodcock is chunkier, has bars on crown instead of longitudinal stripes, lacks bars on flanks, and has richer brown underparts, including wing linings.