Wilson’s snipe

Wilson's snipe photographed in Manitoba

The snipe is a master of camouflage. Its brown, striped plumage blends perfectly into marsh grass, and it often stays motionless until you are almost on top of it, then bursts into a zigzag flight with a harsh scaipe call. A very long, straight bill makes it easy to identify when you see one.

In spring, the male performs a remarkable display, flying high in circles and then diving, while the outer tail feathers vibrate in the air to produce an eerie, humming sound called winnowing. Snipe feed by probing the soft mud for worms and insect larvae. They nest in wet meadows and bogs, arrive in Manitoba in April, and leave in the fall.

Curious about the wilson’s snipe and its habitat? Learn more on its page at All About Birds.

Here are some of my favourite frames of this bird.

Field notes in photographs

  • Wilson's snipe photographed in Manitoba, 1
  • Wilson's snipe photographed in Manitoba, 2
  • Wilson's snipe photographed in Manitoba, 3
  • Wilson's snipe photographed in Manitoba, 4
  • Wilson's snipe photographed in Manitoba, 5
  • Wilson's snipe perched on a lichen-covered post, showing its long bill and striped back, Manitoba

Wilson’s snipe Manitoba sightings

Where and when you can find the wilson’s snipe in Manitoba depends on the season and the habitat. You can see more species in the Manitoba birds section.

Map of Manitoba showing where the wilson's snipe nests, with major cities and lakes
Where to look for the wilson’s snipe in Manitoba through the seasons: nesting in the Boreal Shield, the Taiga Shield, the Hudson Plains, the Southern Arctic, the Boreal Plains, and the Prairies (gold). Habitat regions: National Ecological Framework for Canada. Boundaries: Statistics Canada. Lakes: Natural Earth.

Back to Manitoba bird photography, or see the portfolio.

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