The African snipe also known as the Ethiopian snipe, is a small stocky wader. It breeds in eastern and southern Africa in wet mountain moorland and swamps at altitudes of 1,700–4,000 m (5,600–13,100 ft). When not breeding it disperses widely, including into coastal lowlands.
Region
Eastern and Southern Africa
Typical Environment
Breeds in wet montane moorlands, high-altitude marshes, and sedge- and grass-dominated swamps, especially in the Ethiopian Highlands and the highlands of eastern to southern Africa. Outside the breeding season it disperses into lower-lying wetlands, including flooded grasslands, marshes, pans, and even coastal lowlands. It favors soft, saturated ground with shallow standing water and abundant sedges for cover. It often uses seepage lines, boggy valley bottoms, and edges of pools and streams.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 4000 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The African snipe, also known as the Ethiopian snipe, is a stocky wader that breeds in high-altitude marshes and moorlands. During courtship it performs dramatic display flights and produces a haunting "winnowing" sound with its tail feathers. When flushed it zig-zags rapidly, making it hard to track. It disperses widely outside the breeding season and is sensitive to wetland drainage and degradation.
Temperament
shy and cryptic
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with abrupt, zig-zagging flush; display flights with sustained winnowing
Social Behavior
Generally solitary or in loose, small groups outside the breeding season. Breeds in dispersed territories in marshy highlands; the nest is a shallow ground scrape hidden among sedges. Typical clutch size is 2–4 eggs. Males perform aerial displays over territories, especially at dawn and dusk.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Usually quiet; when alarmed gives sharp, rasping calls. During display flights produces a distinctive tremulous "winnowing" or drumming sound generated by vibrating outer tail feathers.
Plumage
Densely mottled and barred brown upperparts with bold pale buff longitudinal stripes; finely barred flanks; clean whitish belly. Underwings are darkly barred, giving a dusky impression in flight. Tail short with barred patterning; overall cryptic, blending with sedge and peat.
Diet
Feeds mainly on invertebrates, including earthworms, insect larvae, beetles, flies, and small molluscs. Probes soft mud and saturated soil with its sensitive bill tip to detect prey by touch. Also picks surface prey among wet sedges and grasses. Will feed along shallow water margins and in seepage areas.
Preferred Environment
Soft, waterlogged soils of marshes, bogs, flooded meadows, and edges of pools and streams. Often forages under cover of sedges and rushes, using dense vegetation for concealment.
