Wilson’s Snipe
WILSNI
Gallinago delicata
ORDER: Charadriiformes
FAMILY: Scolopacidae
Madison County, Indiana, April 2020 and March 2021
Plump, well-camouflaged shorebird that blends into wet meadows and marshes. Dark and heavily marked, with pale buffy stripes on back and face. Extremely long bill used to probe into mud for invertebrates. Similar in shape to American Woodcock but much darker with extensive markings on underparts. Fairly common and widespread throughout North America, wintering to northern South America. Found in muddy wetlands, flooded fields, and marshes, usually singly but sometimes gathering in loose groups. When flushed, listen for rough call note. On breeding grounds, watch and listen for aerial flight display, given day and night: a rapid series of hoot-like noises produced by the outer tail feathers in flight.
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For more information about identifying birds, we suggest the following websites:
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology
I am continuously amazed at the variety of birds you have photographed in Madison County. I guess those big river valleys are fertile with all sorts of wildlife; as long as we don't destroy them with pollution.