The Magellanic snipe is a bird in tribe Scolopancinai and subfamily Scolopacinae of family Scolopacidae, the sandpipers and relatives. It is found in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and the Falkland Islands.
Region
Southern South America and Falkland Islands
Typical Environment
Occurs from southern Chile and Argentina through Tierra del Fuego and the Falkland Islands, with records north to Uruguay. It favors wet grasslands, peat bogs, moorlands, marsh edges, and damp pastures, often near pools or slow creeks. Birds remain year-round in many southern locales, with some local seasonal movements to milder lowlands. It uses dense tussocks and sedges for concealment and nesting on the ground.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Magellanic snipe is a cryptic, ground-dwelling shorebird of southern South America, famed for its wavering flush and zigzag escape flight. Males perform dramatic twilight display flights that include a haunting ‘winnowing’ sound made by vibrating outer tail feathers. It probes soft ground with a long, sensitive bill using a rapid “sewing-machine” motion. Its mottled plumage provides superb camouflage in peat bogs and wet grasslands.
Temperament
solitary and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with swift, zigzag flush; display flights with gliding ‘winnowing’ dives
Social Behavior
Typically occurs singly or in loose pairs, especially during breeding. Nests on the ground in dense grass or sedge; the clutch is usually 2–4 eggs. Courtship involves aerial displays by the male at dusk and dawn. Parents are attentive and rely on camouflage to avoid detection.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations are soft, including short chip or krek notes. The most distinctive sound is a low, tremulous ‘winnowing’ produced by air rushing over the outer tail feathers during display dives at twilight.
