Noble Snipe (Gallinago nobilis)

Identification & Behavior: ~31 cm (12.2 in). The Noble Snipe has a patterned head and rest of the upperparts. The back shows conspicuous pale or buff stripes. The neck, breast, and sides are barred with a pale unbarred center of the belly. It is secretive in marshy and muddy habitats. It is very similar to the Andean Snipe but is distinguished by having an unbarred and pale center of belly and by preferring bogs in elfin forests. It is larger than the Puna Snipe.

Status: The Noble Snipe is rare is and appears to be local in elfin forest bogs at or near treeline. It ranges at elevations of about 3300 m and is restricted to extreme northern Peru only on the north and west side of the Marañon River. It also occurs in Co and Ec.

Name in Spanish: Becasina Paramera.

Sub-species: Noble Snipe (Gallinago nobilis), P. L. Sclater 1856.

Meaning of Name: Gallinago= L. Galli=hen chicken and ago= similar. nobilis: L. Noble, royal.

See more of the Family Scolopacidae