Wildlifeof Bhutan
Solitary Snipe
Shorebirds
Photo: (c) Михаил Голомысов, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY (May be cropped or resized)
Gallinago solitaria
Basic stats
Habitat
Breeds in mountain bogs and river valleys above the timberline, typically 2,400–5,000m; lower marshes and swamps otherwise
Range
Mountains of eastern Asia, from north-east Iran to Korea and Japan
Size
29–31cm
The solitary snipe is a heavy, stocky snipe 29 to 31cm long with relatively short legs for a wader. The upperparts, head and neck are streaked with medium brown stripes and whitish feather edges forming lines down the back, the breast is ginger-brown, and the belly is white with brown barring on the flanks. The bill is long, straight and fairly slender (Wikipedia, general species account).
It breeds discontinuously in the mountains of eastern Asia, in mountain bogs and river valleys above the timberline, typically from 2,400m to 5,000m, and is often found in similar marshes and swamps at lower altitudes when not breeding. It makes a hoarse 'kensh' on take-off and a far-carrying 'chok-a-chok-a' in display, and its flight is relatively slow and heavy. The nest is hidden in a dense tuft of grass or sedge.
Quick answers
- What habitat does the Solitary Snipe live in?
- Breeds in mountain bogs and river valleys above the timberline, typically 2,400–5,000m; lower marshes and swamps otherwise
- Where is the Solitary Snipe found?
- Mountains of eastern Asia, from north-east Iran to Korea and Japan
- How big is the Solitary Snipe?
- 29–31cm