How to Identify Snipes

By eHow Hobbies, Games & Toys Editor

Instructions

Step 1:
Learn about the habitats of the snipes. The most widespread snipe, the Common Snipe or Wilson's Snipe, is found throughout North America. Wilson's Snipe lives mostly in grassy areas that tend to be moist or wet, such as swamps and marshes. Wilson's Snipe is considered a shorebird as well.
Step 2:
Observe the appearance of the Wilson's Snipe. It is stocky with short legs that are greenish, yellowish or grayish in color. Wilson's Snipe is predominantly brown on its upper parts, with a striped back, head and crown. The under parts are white and the neck and breast of Wilson's Snipe has brown streaks. The bill is very long, often with a dark brown tip and a reddish base. Their tails are a rust-red and square in shape; their eyes are dark brown. The pointed wings are dark brown and black. Female Wilson's Snipes have shorter tails and longer bills than males. Juvenile Wilson's Snipes look similar to adult snipes, except their feathers have paler edges.
Step 3:
Take note of the size of Wilson's Snipe. Wilson's Snipe is a medium sized bird, measuring between 27 and 32 cm in length. Wilson's Snipes weigh approximately 79 to 146 g, and has a wingspan of 41 to 44 cm.
Step 4:
Listen to the sounds of the Wilson's Snipe. The Wilson's Snipe's call is a harsh sound similar to "wheat-wheat-wheat," and it makes a rasping sound when flushed out from grasses.
Step 5:
Observe the behavior of Wilson's Snipe. Because of its plumage, Wilson's Snipe can easily camouflage itself in grasses. Usually, a Wilson's Snipe is not even spotted until it's flushed out from the grassy habitat. When taking off for flight, the Wilson's Snipe flies an erratic, zig-zag pattern. Once in the air, Wilson's Snipe is a very direct flier with rapid beating wings.

Tips & Warnings

Don't confuse Wilson's Snipe with another group of shorebirds, the Dowitchers. Dowitchers don't have stripes on their crowns or backs, they have longer legs than snipes and are white from their tails to the middle of their backs.
The other less common types of snipe are the Pin-tailed Snipe and the Jack Snipe. Use a bird field guide to identify these rare birds.

Resources

More Puppy Pages

How to Identify Towhees

Towhees are a type of sparrow, and the two most common towhees in North America are the Eastern Towhee and the Spotted Towhee. Until recently, both the Eastern Towhee and the Spotted Towhee were considered to be one species of towhee--the Rufous-sided...

If you have ever been digging for clams in a marsh, crabbing in a bay or taking a leisurely swim in a local lake or pond, then maybe you have seen a Sandpiper. These birds are common and widespread near shorelines and other water sources throughout North...

Sandhill Cranes are large cranes that live over most of northern North America. If you are ever up north and see large birds, they may be Sandhill Cranes. Read on to learn how to identify Sandhill Cranes.

Eastern Meadowlarks and Western Meadowlarks are common songbirds in North America that can be hard to tell apart. Here's how to differentiate these birds from each other.

The Buzzard, also known as the Common Buzzard or European Buzzard, resembles a hawk. It can be easy to identify if you know what to look for. Here's how to spot a Buzzard.