Fuegian snipe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fuegian snipe |
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Gallinago
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stricklandii
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The Fuegian snipe (Gallinago stricklandii) is a small, sturdy wader bird. It's also known as the cordilleran snipe. This bird lives and breeds in south-central Chile and Argentina. Its home stretches all the way south to Tierra del Fuego. Most Fuegian snipes stay in one place. However, those from Tierra del Fuego fly north to mainland Chile for the winter. This is a type of bird migration.
Sometimes, people spot this snipe in the Falkland Islands. Some even think it might breed there. But there's only one recent sighting. Older records about breeding are not very clear. So, the birds seen in the Falklands could be a tiny breeding group. Or, they might just be visitors from the mainland.
The Fuegian snipe is common in Tierra del Fuego. It becomes less common as you go further north. Some scientists think it's the same species as the Andean snipe, Gallinago jamesoni. The scientific name, stricklandii, honors Hugh Edwin Strickland. He was an English geologist, bird expert, and classifier.
What Does the Fuegian Snipe Look Like?
This snipe is about 30 to 32 centimeters (12-13 inches) long. It has a strong body and short legs for a wader. Its back, head, and neck have dark brown and buff streaks. These patterns help it blend in. Gold edges on its feathers create lines down its back. These lines are not as clear as on other snipe species.
The bird's belly is buff-colored. Its sides have brown stripes. Its bill is long, straight, and strong, like a horn. Its legs and feet are yellowish-green. Male and female snipes look very similar. Young birds are almost the same. They only have light edges on their wing feathers.
The Fuegian snipe makes a "chip-chip-chip" sound. When it flies to attract a mate, it makes a loud, clear "char-woo" call.
The only other snipe in the same area is the Magellan snipe, Gallinago paraguiaiae. The Fuegian snipe is much bigger. It flies like a heavy woodcock with wide wings. These wings do not have a white edge. When on the ground, the Fuegian snipe does not have the clear pale stripes that its smaller relative has.
Where Does the Fuegian Snipe Live and What Does It Do?
The Fuegian snipe lives in wet, grassy areas and forests. It likes places with low bushes or tall grasses. In the north, it lives high up, around 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). In Tierra del Fuego, it lives near sea level. There, it also lives in open grasslands without trees.
We don't know much about how it raises its young. But we do know it has a special flight at night. The bird flies high in circles. Then, it dives down fast. As it dives, its special outer tail feathers vibrate. This makes a drumming sound. The drumming sound happens between its "char-woo" calls.
The Fuegian snipe finds food by pushing its long bill deep into the mud. It searches for insects and worms. Its patterned feathers help it hide very well. When it stands still among marsh plants, it's hard to see.
Is the Fuegian Snipe in Danger?
Experts think there are fewer than 10,000 Fuegian snipes left. The number might even be smaller. There might be fewer birds in the northern parts of their home range. Because of this, the Fuegian snipe is now listed as near-threatened. This means it could become endangered if its numbers keep dropping.
