adult; no sexual dimorphism (California, USA; 2007-01-21)


Wilson's Snipe
Gallinago delicata

Native Range: North America and Latin America

Notes: a superbly camoflaged sandpiper of marshes and other wetlands; extremely long bill is flexible at the tip and has many sensory cells to help detect and grab theworms and other invetebrates in this bird's diet; a 'winnowing' flight dislay during the breeding season entails igh circling flight by the male followed by a steep dive downward at high speed ; especially during the dive, air rushing past spread tail feathers produces a distinctive whistling sound.

dorsal view; black-and-tan stripes on back (California, USA; 2006-12-31)
long bill, stripes on head (California, USA; 2006-12-31)

rufous on tail visible in flight (California, USA; 2006-12-31) 		a group of seven birds; can you find them all? (California, USA; 2007-01-21)