Giant Snipe

It occurs in tall vegetation in swamps and flooded grasslands, and occasionally in dry savannah. It ranges from the lowlands up to 2,200 m altitude.

The Giant Snipe is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

The Giant Snipe, Gallinago undulata, is a stocky wader. It breeds in South America. The nominate subspecies G. u. undulata occurs in two distinct areas, one in Colombia, and the other from Venezuela through Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana to extreme north-eastern Brazil. The southern subspecies G. u. gigantea is found in eastern Bolivia, eastern Paraguay and south-east Brazil, and probably also in Uruguay and north-eastern Argentina. More

Giant Snipe, Brazil, REGUA November 2008 © Colin Bushell - Toucan Birding Tours Just one of many good birds (including Shrike-like Cotinga) seen at REGUA in November. More

Mayer, First record of Giant Snipe Gallinago undulata for Bolivia, Bull. B.O.C. 1995(3). Two parts, recorded a few minutes apart. In the savanna. At night, two hours after sunset. cd:http://www.birdsongs.com/Bolivia/main.htm Sound characteristics Type Song during display flight. More

Giant Snipe (Gallinago undulata) feeding at night at REGUA, Brazil 4Average: 4 (3 votes) Your rating: None Voting is for registered members only. Please login or create a new account. More

saw two Giant Snipe (Gallinago undulata) in a grassy field at the edge of a pond near the airport at Rio Grande, Tierra del Fuego. The general appearance suggested that of a Common Snipe (Gallicago gallicago), but their bills were much longer and the profile was flatter than that of the Common Snipe. The belly was white and heavy barring extended down the breast and along the flanks. The central tail feathers were bright rusty, but other tail feathers had no rusty on them. More

In addition the Giant Snipe has a flatter forehead. This individual was in grass near a lake. He was not easy to photograph, remaining upright and visible for a couple of seconds after moving, before ducking down and disappearing completely from view, despite being a medium-sized bird. Fortunately he did this twice giving me an opportunity to take a photo on the second occasion. The South American Snipe is found in most of South America, away from the Pacific coast. More

I have just posted a video of a Giant Snipe on my webpage. As many of you may know this bird is hard to see and this appears to be the first record for Chapada dos Guimaraes-Mato Grosso. So check it out at: www.marcpadua.multiply. More

Giant Snipe © Chris Townend. Group at Guapi Assu. Photo © Gina Nichol. View from Guapi Assu. Photo © Gina Nichol. Black Jacobin. Photo © Steve Bird. Yellow-lored Tody Tyrant. Photo © Steve Bird. Brassy-breasted Tanager. Photo © Steve Bird. Guapi Assu Bird Lodge. Photo © Lee Dingain. Shrike-like Cotinga. Photo © Lee Dingain. More