The existence of the elusive snipe bird in Virginia has been debated for many years. Snipe are wading birds that inhabit marshes, swamps, bogs and wet meadows across North America and Eurasia. They have long straight bills that they use to probe in muddy soil in search of worms and insects. There are around 25 different species of snipe, with three species found regularly in the United States: the common snipe, Wilson’s snipe, and the American woodcock. The question of whether snipe can be found in the state of Virginia is an intriguing one that warrants some investigation.
What is a snipe?
Snipe belong to the family Scolopacidae and there are four genera that contain the extant snipe species:
- Gallinago – typical snipes including common snipe, pin-tailed snipe, Swinhoe’s snipe
- Coenocorypha – woodcocks
- Lymnocryptes – jack snipe
- Scolopax – woodcocks and the American woodcock
Some key features of snipe species include:
- Slender bodies and long straight bills adapted for probing in mud or soil
- Cryptic plumage patterning that provides camouflage
- Short legs compared to other wading birds
- Make “winnowing” sounds during courtship displays
- Nest on the ground in marshy habitats
The three snipe regularly seen in the United States can be identified as follows:
Common Snipe
- 7.5-10.5 inches long with 16-17 inch wingspan
- Short straight bill around 2 inches long
- Cryptic brown, black, and buff plumage
Wilson’s Snipe
- 10.5-13 inches long with 18-20 inch wingspan
- Long straight dark bill around 2.5 inches
- Bold black and white stripes on head
American Woodcock
- 10.5-13 inches long with 16.5-19.5 inch wingspan
- Long slightly curved bill around 2-3 inches
- Rotund body shape
- Cryptic mottled brown plumage
Range and Habitat
Snipe species are found across much of North America and Eurasia. The ranges of the three regular US species are:
Common Snipe
- Breeds across northern North America
- Winters along Gulf Coast, southern Atlantic coast, and Mexico
Wilson’s Snipe
- Breeds across central Canada and Alaska
- Winters across southeastern US and Mexico
American Woodcock
- Breeds across eastern North America
- Winters along Gulf Coast and southern Atlantic coast
Snipe utilize marshy wetland habitats like:
- Marshes
- Swamps
- Bogs
- Wet meadows
- Muddy shorelines
- Reedy ditches
They nest on the ground hidden in vegetation, and probe into muddy soil for invertebrates with their long bills.
Snipe in Virginia
Two species of snipe are known to inhabit Virginia – the common snipe and the American woodcock. Here is an overview:
Common Snipe
- Uncommon winter resident and passage migrant
- Found in marshes, flooded fields, and wet meadows
- Concentrated along coast and eastern shore of Chesapeake Bay
American Woodcock
- Fairly common year-round resident and winter resident
- Breeds in shrubby swamps, bogs, and wet thickets
- Winters in similar wet habitats statewide
The table below shows the seasonal abundance of these two snipe species in Virginia:
Species | Summer | Fall | Winter | Spring |
---|---|---|---|---|
Common Snipe | Rare | Uncommon | Uncommon | Uncommon |
American Woodcock | Fairly Common | Fairly Common | Fairly Common | Fairly Common |
So in summary, Virginia does host two snipe species although the common snipe is only an uncommon seasonal visitor. The American woodcock can be found year-round as a fairly common resident and their haunting “winnowing” display flights are a characteristic sound of spring evenings in wooded wetlands statewide. The chances of spotting the well-camouflaged common snipe are highest during winter and migration along coastal areas. So while not necessarily abundant, snipe are indeed present in Virginia wetland habitats!
Snipe Hunting Myth
There is a myth that snipe are fictional or imaginary birds. This stems from the practice of taking unsuspecting people on “snipe hunts” where they try fruitlessly to catch the non-existent snipe. This prank or fool’s errand was once a popular hazing ritual for campers and boy scouts. However, while the snipe hunt gag is a myth, the birds themselves are very real creatures! The elusive nature of snipe, which are masters of camouflage and subterfuge, may have added to their mythical status in this pranking folklore. But ornithologists and birders recognize snipe as living breathing birds, not imaginary ghosts. The next time you hear somebody reference going on a snipe hunt, you can set them straight that real snipe do actually exist across North America and Eurasia, even if their numbers are dwindling.
Threats and Conservation
Both the common snipe and American woodcock face a number of threats and have declining populations:
Habitat Loss
Draining and development of the wetlands they depend on, especially loss of bogs.
Climate Change
May dry out vital wetland habitats, cause mismatch in migration timing.
Hunting Pressure
Snipe are legal gamebirds, though not as sought after as waterfowl. The woodcock daily bag limit was reduced in 2012 to help counteract population declines. Lead shot left in habitats is also an issue.
Predators
Rising populations of predators like coyotes, foxes, and feral cats may put more pressure on eggs and chicks.
Conservation actions needed:
- Preserve and restore wetland habitats
- Regulate hunting pressure and transition to non-toxic shot
- Continue monitoring populations
Ensuring snipe have adequate undisturbed wetland habitat will be key to sustaining their populations into the future. The precarious existence of these long-billed wetland waders highlights the importance of protecting Virginia’s remaining marshes, swamps, and bogs as invaluable wildlife habitat.
Conclusion
In conclusion, two species of snipe – the common snipe and American woodcock – can be found inhabiting Virginia’s coastal and inland wetlands. While not necessarily abundant, their presence dispels the myth that snipe are imaginary or fabricated birds. Safeguarding wetland habitats from development and climate change will be crucial to preserving populations of these cryptic marsh birds into the future. Though notoriously difficult to spot, snipe perform their aerial courtship displays over wetlands statewide during the breeding season. Listen for their distinctive “winnowing” sounds next time you are outdoors near a secluded marsh or swamp around dawn or dusk. With patience, you may be rewarded by a glimpse of one of these elusive wetland waders!