Wilson’s Snipe

Wilson’s Snipe have very large pectoral muscles that make up nearly 25% of their weight. With their huge pecs, it is estimated that this chubby shorebird can reach speeds up to 96 kilometres an hour!

 

The Wilson’s Snipe feeds on insect larvae and small crustaceans living in mud or moist soil. Their long bill is flexible and they can open the tip of their bill while underground as the portion closest to their face remains closed. This acts like a straw so they can suck up their prey from the mud.

 

Snipe build nests near water and line a scrape with grass. Their chicks hatch at about 18-20 days and are covered with brown coloured down blotched with black; a white streak appears on their crown and over the eyes. Snipe chicks waste no time and leave the nest on the day of hatching to explore their world.

Although only the female tends the eggs and nestlings, Wilson’s Snipe parents split up the siblings once they’re ready to fledge. The male takes the two oldest; the female takes the younger two with her. After they leave the nest the mates have no further contact.

 

The oldest known Wilson’s Snipe was at least 9 years, 3 months old, based on a band recovered from a bird that was shot in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

 

The images of these Wilson’s Snipe were taken in downtown Yellowknife at Niven Lake and the ponds in front of the Legislative Assembly. Next time you are out and about in the spring or fall have a look and see if you can spot this well-camouflaged bird among the grasses.

 

That’s all for this week. Thank you for stopping by.