Common snipe

    Gallinago gallinago

Castilian: Agachadiza común

Catalan: Becadell comú

Gallego: Becacina

Euskera: Istingor arrunta

CLASIFICACIÓN:

Orden: Charadriiformes

Family: Scolopacidae

Migratory status: Winter resident

CONSERVATION STATUS:

In the 2004 edition of the Red Book of Spanish Birds (Libro Rojo de las Aves de España) it is listed as “Endangered”.

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THREATS

Its principal enemy is the destruction of its breeding areas due to reforestation, fires, the abandonment of pastureland and wetland drainage to convert the land into farm land or grazing land. (In La Limia, in the province of Orense, it has become extinct.) It should be mentioned that hunting in winter also affects its breeding areas.

Length / size: 25-27 cm / 44-47 cm

Identification: Medium-sized wader with a brownish colouration and a very long bill. Its back is speckled and has vertical cream-coloured stripes that extend up to its dark crown. In flight this bird appears brown with a reddish tail, and takes off suddenly and zigzags in the air.

Song: It makes a "ca-atch" sound in flight, and during courtship it makes a drumming "hu-hu-hu" sound.

Diet: It feeds on invertebrates that it captures by sinking its bill into the substrate.

Reproduction: It begins with the males' mating flights, although females occasionally perform them as well. The female builds the nest in a depression in the ground, which she covers with grass, and she is responsible for incubation. The chicks leave the nest shortly after being born and are cared for by both parents.

HABITAT

It is a demanding species. It breeds in inland open wetlands, with low and thick vegetation and soils that are rich in organic material. In our country it is located in mid-mountain areas. In winter it occupies coastal and inland areas, like lakes, reservoirs and grasslands.

DISTRIBUTION

In Spain: When wintering, it is found on the Cantabrian and Atlantic coasts; when breeding, it is found, more rarely, in the southern areas of Orense and in some places in the Central System, such as Ávila.

In Castile and León: When wintering it appears to be widely distributed throughout the entire community.

Movements and migrations: In winter, Scandinavian and central European specimens reach the peninsula. The passages take place between February-April and August-November. Nothing is known about the migratory behaviour of our population.

POPULATION

In Spain: There is an estimated population of 50-70 breeding pairs.

In Castile and León: There is an estimated population of 35 breeding pairs.