Gallinago solitaria Hodgson, 1831

Taxonomic Identification

This description covers Gallinago solitaria Hodgson, 1831, commonly known as the solitary snipe.

Body Size and Shape

It is a large, heavy snipe that measures 29–31 cm in length, with a stocky body and relatively short legs for a wader.

Upperparts Plumage

Its upperparts, head, and neck are streaked and patterned with medium brown stripes; feathers have whitish edges that form lines running down its back.

Facial and Breast Plumage

The face is whitish. The breast is ginger-brown, while the belly is white with brown barring on the flanks.

Bill Morphology

The long, straight, fairly slender bill is brown and black.

Leg and Foot Coloration

The legs and feet range from yellowish-olive to yellowish-brown.

Plumage Variation

All plumages are similar across the species, though females average larger in size.

Subspecies Overview

There are two fairly similar subspecies: the nominate G. s. solitaria, which has a very wide distribution, and G. s. japonica.

G. s. japonica Characteristics

G. s. japonica is richer red and has less white on its upperparts; its breeding range is not known, but it winters in Japan.

Flight Call

When taking off, the solitary snipe produces a hoarse kensh call.

Display Call

During display, it gives a far-carrying chok-a-chok-a call.

Flight Characteristics

It has a relatively slow, heavy flight.

Breeding Range

The solitary snipe breeds discontinuously in the mountains of eastern Asia, specifically in eastern Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Mongolia.

Sedentary Movement Pattern

Many individuals are sedentary in high mountains, or only move downhill during severe weather.

Migratory Winter Range

Other individuals are migratory, and winter in northeast Iran, Pakistan, northern India, Bangladesh, eastern China, Korea, Japan, and Sakhalin.