Swinhoe's snipe,, also known as forest snipe or Chinese snipe, is a medium-sized, long-billed, migratory wader.
Region
East and Southeast Asia to Northern Australia
Typical Environment
Breeds in northeast Asia, including eastern Siberia, northeast China, and adjacent regions, in wet meadows, boggy forest clearings, and marshes. During migration and in winter it occupies freshwater wetlands, rice paddies, flooded fields, and wet grasslands across southern China, Taiwan, mainland Southeast Asia, and parts of Indonesia and the Philippines, with regular occurrence to northern Australia. It prefers soft, muddy substrates with dense low vegetation for cover. Birds are often solitary or in small loose groups and spend much of the day concealed.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Other
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Swinhoe's snipe, also called forest or Chinese snipe, is a medium-sized, long-billed wader that prefers damp forest edges and marshy grasslands. It is notoriously difficult to distinguish from the closely related Pin-tailed Snipe in the field; subtle differences in structure, tail feathers, and calls are used by experts. When flushed it zigzags rapidly and soon drops back into cover, relying on superb camouflage.
Temperament
shy and cryptic
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with erratic, zigzag escape flight
Social Behavior
Mostly solitary or in small, loose groups outside the breeding season. Nests are shallow scrapes on the ground in dense vegetation near wetlands, with the clutch typically guarded closely and chicks precocial. Adults rely on stillness and camouflage, flushing only at close range.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Generally quiet; gives sharp, dry chips and kek-like notes when flushed or in flight. On breeding grounds may produce soft display calls, often overshadowed by the rustle of wings in rapid flight.
