The imperial snipe is a small stocky wader which breeds in the Andes. For a century it was known only from two specimens collected near Bogotá, Colombia, and was presumed extinct, but it was rediscovered in Peru in 1967 and Ecuador in 1988. It is not known if it is migratory.
Region
Northern Andes
Typical Environment
Occurs patchily in the Andes of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, primarily in high-elevation páramo and wet montane grasslands. It favors sphagnum bogs, tussock grass, peatlands, and the edges of elfin forest with saturated soils. Birds are typically encountered in remote, undisturbed moorlands with dense cover and nearby seeps or streams. Local distribution is highly uneven, reflecting the scarcity of suitable, intact boggy habitat.
Altitude Range
2700–4000 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The imperial snipe is a secretive high-Andean wader once known only from two 19th‑century specimens near Bogotá, then dramatically rediscovered in Peru (1967) and Ecuador (1988). It frequents wet páramo bogs and elfin forest edges and is most active at dusk and dawn. Males perform crepuscular display flights with a wavering call and a low winnowing hum produced by air over the tail feathers.
Temperament
secretive and crepuscular
Flight Pattern
explosive flush with zigzagging, then strong direct flight; display flights at dusk
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs, relying on dense grass or bog cover to remain concealed. Nests are shallow ground scrapes hidden in tussocks near wet areas. Breeding is thought to coincide with wetter months when ground remains soft for probing. Both adults show strong site fidelity to suitable boggy patches.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Calls are soft, wavering whistles and harsher notes given during display flights at dusk and dawn. The display often includes a low, humming winnow generated by air over the tail feathers.
Plumage
Heavily mottled and barred brown with rich rufous and black, featuring bold pale buff stripes along the crown and scapulars; underparts barred and mottled for superb camouflage.
Diet
Feeds mainly on soil and aquatic invertebrates, including insect larvae, beetles, worms, and small mollusks. Uses its long, sensitive bill to probe soft peat and mud, locating prey by touch. Foraging is typically slow and deliberate along saturated edges of pools and seeps.
Preferred Environment
Wet sphagnum bogs, saturated tussock grasslands, and peaty stream margins within páramo and elfin forest ecotones. Often feeds in shallow muddy patches with dense cover nearby for quick concealment.
