snipe

Snipe are a group of wading birds in the family Scolopacidae, with several species placed in the genus Gallinago. The best known are the common snipe (Gallinago gallinago) and Wilson’s snipe (Gallinago delicata). They are medium-sized, stocky shorebirds with long, straight bills and cryptically mottled brown plumage that helps them blend into marshy habitats.

Snipe inhabit wetlands such as marshes, damp meadows, and bogs across the temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. They breed in northern areas and migrate to milder climates for winter. They are typically elusive and shy, often feeding at dawn and dusk.

Their feeding strategy centers on probing soft mud with their sensitive bills to detect and capture invertebrates, including insects, worms, and mollusks. The birds’ plumage provides camouflage among reeds and vegetation. During courtship, the male performs a distinctive fluttering display flight that generates a drumming or humming sound with fast wingbeats.

Reproduction usually involves ground nests hidden in vegetation, with clutch sizes commonly around 3–4 eggs. Both parents participate in incubating the eggs, and the young are precocial, leaving the nest soon after hatching.

In addition to its biological meaning, the term snipe appears in cultural and hunting contexts. It can refer to shooting from concealment, or to a snipe-hunting prank, a traditional practical joke in some hunting communities.