The RSPB: Jack snipe

Jack snipe

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Latin name

Lymnocryptes minimus

Family

Sandpipers and allies (Scolopacidae)

Overview

Smaller than snipe with a shorter bill. It is a secretive bird and when approached it tends to crouch down, relying on its camouflaged plumage, only flying at the last minute. It will fly low and rapidly drop down again, unlike snipe which zig-zags and then flies off high. When feeding it has a characteristic 'bouncing' motion, as if on a spring.

Where to see them

In winter, found in lowland wetland areas - the edges of reedbeds and shallow lagoons, fenland, flooded meadows, river edges and muddy ditches.

When to see them

Birds usually arrive in the UK between September and November, leaving again in February and March.

What they eat

Insects, worms and snails.

Estimated numbers

Europe	UK breeding*	UK wintering*	UK passage*
-	-	10,000-100,000 birds	-

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.

Distribution

Key

Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.

Audio is from commercial recordings Bird Songs and Calls of Britain and Europe on 4 CDs or Bird Sounds of Europe & North-west Africa, copyright WildSounds & CEBA (www.wildsounds.com, (UK) +44 (0) 1263 741100)