Fuegian Snipe Gallinago stricklandii Scientific name definitions

Of all birds in South America’s Southern Cone, this is one of the least known. This large snipe appears to breed in exposed Fuegian islands with much bunchgrass, although this is surmised from dates of occurrence as nests have never been found. It may also breed in Patagonian peat swamps, but again, this is not confirmed. Various records well north into south-central Chile during the non-breeding season also suggest it is migratory, although no records in these now relatively well-watched areas exist for the last several decades! The lack of knowledge on this species is confounded by misidentifications of South American Snipe, particularly on the Falkland Islands where some South American Snipe are curiously darker than others. The Fuegian Snipe, which was formerly known as Strickland’s Snipe, is an entirely different animal. It is large, bulky, tame and has a long and almost “kiwi-like” bill that droops at the end. Much still needs to be learned about this fascinating shorebird. Even for well experienced and well-traveled southern cone birders, this remains as one of the most difficult species to find.

29–35 cm. Dark and rufous woodcock-like snipe , with broad, rounded wings ; small, unmarked throat patch; central belly unbarred buff. Like G. jamesoni and G. imperialis, lacks clear pale stripes on head and upperparts typical of other snipes; lacks white on wings and tail. Very similar to G. jamesoni, but underparts richer buff. Sexes alike. No seasonal variation. Juvenile very similar to adult, but feathers of mantle and scapulars narrowly edged pale buff.

SC Chile (Araucanía) and SC Argentina (W Neuquén, S Santa Cruz) S to Tierra del Fuego. Status in extreme N part of range uncertain; perhaps present only in winter.

Grassy or forested boggy areas with low scrub or rushes, including within Nothofagus forest (2 Jaramillo, A. (2003). A Field Guide to the Birds of Chile Including the Antarctic Peninsula, the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ); often mosaic of grassy bog, bamboo and lichen-clad dwarf forest, sometimes cushion-plant bogs; occurs from sea-level, in fjordland habitat and on small islands, up to 800 m in Chile (2 Jaramillo, A. (2003). A Field Guide to the Birds of Chile Including the Antarctic Peninsula, the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ).

Mostly sedentary, but extreme S including Tierra del Fuego vacated during winter, although there is apparently just two definite records in Santa Cruz province, S Argentina (3 Imberti, S. (2003). Notes on the distribution and natural history of some birds in Santa Cruz and Tierra del Fuego provinces, Patagonia, Argentina. Cotinga 19:15–24. Close , 4 Darrieu, C. A., A. R. Camperi, and S. Imberti (2008). Avifauna (non Passeriformes) of Santa Cruz province, Patagonia (Argentina): annotated list of species. Revista del Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales 10:111–145. Close ). Sometimes said to be rare visitor (or even breed) on Falkland Is, but most reports are too vague to be accepted without more proof and only specimen said to be this species was destroyed in a fire (5 Woods, R. W. (1988). The Birds of the Falkland Islands. Anthony Nelson, Oswestry, England. Close ).

Virtually nothing known, but diet includes beetles. Apparently largely nocturnal.

During nocturnal display, which is apparently largely similar to that of G. jamesoni, gives a series of repeated “chip” or “cheep” notes, as well as a penetrating “char-woo” alternating with the drumming sounds produced by the tail feathers (6 Fjeldså, J., and N. Krabbe (1990). Birds of the High Andes: A Manual to the Birds of the Temperate Zone of the Andes and Patagonia, South America. Zoological Museum, University of Copenhagen and Apollo Books, Copenhagen and Svendborg, Denmark. Close , 2 Jaramillo, A. (2003). A Field Guide to the Birds of Chile Including the Antarctic Peninsula, the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Flushes with sharp notes quite unlike those of other snipes in region (7 Reynolds, P. W. (1935). Notes on the birds of Cape Horn. Ibis 77(1):65–101. Close ).

Not well known. Nest and chicks found in Dec. Nest sited on elevated ground among short, sparse grasses and rushes. Normally two eggs, deep olive-buff spotted cinnamon-brown, especially at larger end, size 51–55 mm × 36·5–38 mm (7 Reynolds, P. W. (1935). Notes on the birds of Cape Horn. Ibis 77(1):65–101. Close ); chick like that of G. jamesoni, but brighter, with white spots in pale parts.

Not globally threatened. Currently considered Near Threatened. No population estimates available; highly secretive habits would make any possible census work very difficult. Status extremely uncertain; species reported to be common on islands around Cape Horn, but decreasing in numbers towards N.