Pin-tailed Snipe

4. Long, straight bill and large, woodcock-like eyes

5. Toes project well beyond the tail in flight

6. Lacks white trailing edge on wing; tail shorter than Common Snipe; darker, more richly coloured than Latham’s Snipe

Pin-tailed Snipes feed on insects, earthworms, mollusks, crustaceans, seeds, and plant material, foraging by probing their long bills into mud or soft ground. They breed in Arctic and boreal wetlands of Russia, nesting on the ground in well-hidden locations. During the breeding season, males display in groups, producing a loud, repetitive “tcheka” song, as well as fizzing and buzzing sounds with their specialized pin-like outer tail feathers during flight. The species is mainly crepuscular but may feed throughout the day and night if undisturbed.

In Australia, Pin-tailed Snipes are rare visitors, mainly found in the northwest (Kimberley and Pilbara) and occasionally elsewhere. They use a variety of wetland habitats, including flooded grasslands, marshes, wet meadows, and agricultural fields, often preferring slightly drier areas than Common Snipe. They may be seen at dawn or dusk when actively feeding, but their cryptic colouration and tendency to freeze when approached make them difficult to spot.