Wilson’s Snipe

Hey guys, welcome back. Today we have a funny little shorebird, the Wilson’s snipe. This bird is very similar to the American woodcock we did waaaaay back at the beginning of this blog. The two look very similar, though the Wilson’s snipe does spend a little more time in more traditional shorebird habitat than the woodcock. They are kind of a slightly more slender and more striped version of the woodcock.

The Wilson’s snipe uses its long beak to probe wet mud for invertebrates. When I looked up the bird for some facts for this post, I found the following, “Though the long tradition of ‘snipe hunt’ pranks at summer camp has convinced many people otherwise, Wilson’s Snipes aren’t made-up creatures.” That was from allaboutbirds.org and it’s the first time I ever heard of a snipe hunt prank. I’m curious if any of you have heard of it.

My first Wilson’s snipe was seen in Central Park, near Triplets Bridge, and is pictured at the top of the post. I wouldn’t see another until this last spring when I saw many. They love tall wet grass and while trying to sneak up on an eastern meadowlark for a picture, I flushed one. It scared the crap out of me if I’m being honest lol. After that I stalked the same area multiple times. I flushed numerous snipe but never saw any of them before they took flight, hence no other pics for this post!

Wilson’s snipe are found throughout all of North America except extreme northern Canada. The range map actually divides Ohio almost into exact thirds; the northern third being a year round habitat, the middle third migration only, and the southern third wintering grounds. Interesting to say the least. Join me next time for our second loon species. See you then!