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Magellanic Snipe

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Magellanic Snipe (Gallinago magellanica magellanica)

I almost stood on this little chap or chapess on Sealion Island as I was walking towards some nesting penguins. Fortunately I was taking care where I stepped so I saw this one move, otherwise as you can see their camouflage is excellent.

Snipe are common in heath and grassland throughout the Falklands, but they are very secretive and easily overlooked. Approximately 8000 breeding pairs.

Nests are hidden in vegetation, being simple hollows lined with grass. Two or three eggs are laid from August onwards, and young leave the nest at an early age in search of food under the parents care.

A wide variety of invertebrates are taken as prey, the long bill enabling them to wade in shallow ponds or to extract earthworms and grubs from heath and grassland.

The Snipe's usual response to danger is to remain still, their excellent camouflage making them very hard to spot amongst vegetation.

Sexes are similar in appearance

Tags: Birds Snipe Falkland islands Wildlife and nature Magellanic Snipe Gallinago magellanica magellanica

Voters: Hermanus, abeeror2, Andysnapper and 9 more


Uploaded:
29 Nov 2012 2:54AM
Camera:
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38
Shutter Speed:
1/320s
Aperture:
f/3.7
ISO:
320
Focal Length:
36.4 mm
Location:
-52.433250, -59.097401
More EXIF

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Comments


Hermanus 8 4 South Africa
29 Nov 2012 3:18AM
What a beautiful bird and so well camouflaged !! Great photo Grin
TonyDy Plus
12 52 3 United Kingdom
29 Nov 2012 10:55AM
Great shot, Roger.
Tony

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