The giant snipe 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.
Region
Northern and eastern South America
Typical Environment
It breeds in two main areas: the nominate subspecies occurs from eastern Colombia and Venezuela through Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana to extreme northeastern Brazil, while the southern subspecies is found in eastern Bolivia, eastern Paraguay, and southeastern Brazil, and probably also in Uruguay and northeastern Argentina. It favors seasonally flooded savannas, wet grasslands, marsh edges, and swampy thickets. Birds roost by day in dense cover and move into more open, soft substrates to feed after dusk. It is generally non-migratory but may shift locally with rainfall and water levels.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The giant snipe is the largest of the snipes, with an exceptionally long, straight bill for probing soft ground at night. It is famously elusive, spending daylight hours hidden in dense, wet grass and flushing only at very close range in a zigzag burst. Two subspecies occur: a northern form across the Guianas and adjacent regions, and a southern form in Bolivia, Paraguay, and southeastern Brazil. Drainage of wetlands and burning of grasslands can locally impact this secretive wader.
Temperament
solitary and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with zigzag flush; heavy, low flight
Social Behavior
Typically encountered singly or in pairs. Nests are simple scrapes on the ground in dense, wet vegetation during the rainy season. Likely monogamous during breeding, with both sexes guarding the nesting area. Aerial display flights occur at dusk or night over marshy clearings.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Mostly quiet by day; at night and during display it gives deep booming hoots and gruff, barking notes. When flushed, it may utter a harsh, rasping call.
Plumage
Heavily mottled and barred brown, black, and buff with coarse vermiculation, giving excellent camouflage in wet grass and sedges.
Diet
Feeds chiefly on invertebrates, including earthworms, insect larvae, beetles, and other soil-dwelling arthropods. It may also take small amphibians and snails when available. The long, sensitive bill is used to probe soft mud and saturated soil, often with rapid, rhythmic motions.
Preferred Environment
Forages along the edges of marshes, wet savannas, flooded grasslands, rice fields, and shallow swamp margins. It selects areas with soft substrates and dense cover nearby for quick retreat.
