I’ve only seen the species a few times over the years, but this quiet fellow can be seen at our local wetlands in virtually the same spot nearly every day lately. The Wilson’s Snipe favors wet habitats such as marshes, pond edges, flooded meadows, and fields, foraging in the mud for prey such as insects, insect larvae and aquatic invertebrates. The female builds the nest as a “shallow depression lined with fine grasses, leaves, moss, sometimes with overhanging plants woven into a kind of canopy” (Audubon.org). I hope this charmer stays around awhile.
Birder's Journey 
Awesome! Do they have many predators? How do they get food?
On Wed, Dec 29, 2021 at 8:09 PM Birder’s Journey wrote:
> Birder’s Journey posted: ” “Wilson’s Snipes are medium-sized, pudgy > shorebirds with short, stocky legs. The bill is straight and very long > (several times the length of the head).” (All About Birds). Wilson’s Snipes > are one of the most widespread shorebirds, and their range co” >
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They burrow their long bills into the mud or soft wet soil to feed. I’ve read that mammals such as minks and weasels are their predators. But here in the Florida wetlands, I’m sure alligators would find them a tasty snack. Maybe otters and/or raccoons, too, which are common here too. Here’s an interesting bit from All About Birds: “Like many sandpipers, a Wilson’s Snipe with eggs or chicks will attempt to distract a predator with an elaborate show of feigned injury, fluttering up from the nest and falling to the ground, or flopping on its side or breast and beating its wings.”
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I think I have only had a single photo. They blend into the swamp so perfectly I just stood there looking unsure if it was a snipe… or a pile of leaves. Nice !!
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Yes! Their camouflage is remarkable!
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Awesome looking bird, especially for people who like pinstripes!😁
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He’s rather debonair, don’t you think?!😉
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A lovely find BJ, and interesting reading. We seldom see Snipes here, and like many of these birds they are very human shy.
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Thanks, AB. They do seem shy and elusive. I’m a little surprised that this guy sits here so close to the boardwalk day after day.
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Wow, great close-up shots! I’ve not seen this species in the U.S., but we did get really close to a close relative, the Common Snipe, in Iceland, where they are indeed, very common!
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How fascinating-somehow I wouldn’t think of seeing a Snipe in Iceland. I found that several of my field guides listed the Common Snipe but not the Wilson’s Snipe. I see that they have different scientific names, but wondered if they were once considered the same species.
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From all the times I’ve been to Florida. I’ve never photographed a Wilson’s Snipe. Thank you, Carol. 🙂
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I’ve only seen them a handful of times at most. They are really hard to see even if you know they’re there!
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Wonderful closeups, Carol, and what a gorgeous bird! It’s always fun to have something out of the expected around.
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Agreed, Ellen! Especially when the unusual and unexpected bird stays around for awhile!
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I love these guys. We get occasional fall outs of them in NYC.
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Oh my, Sherry- I hope that doesn’t mean that they fall because of collisions with tall buildings?! I love these guys too😌
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It may be described as ;pudgy’, but those beautiful feathers make it a very handsome bird!
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I quite agree with you, Ann! A very handsome and beautifully decked-out Bird. Maybe “portly“ would sound more sophisticated?😉
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Sounds like an old gentleman, hehe!
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Yes, but dignified. 😉
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Awesome sighting, Carol, lucky you! I’ve not yet seen one. 🙂
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I remember being amazed the first time someone pointed out a Wilson’s Snipe to me several years ago. They are very hard to spot, but very cool birds! Hope you get to see one sometime!☺️
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I’ve yet to see a snipe, I may have and not realized it, but I’ve received a few. Among some there is the idea that snipe’s are mythical and not real, thus an episode of Cheers. Handsome bird and handsome portraits.
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Thanks, Steve!
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