Common name: Common Snipe
Scientific name: Gallinago gallinago
Family: Scolopacidae

Size:
Body length: 25–27 cm
Wingspan: 39–45 cm
Weight: 80–140 g

Identification:
A medium-sized, stocky wader with a very long, straight bill and relatively short legs. Plumage is intricately patterned in shades of brown, buff, and black, providing exceptional camouflage in marshy habitats. The head shows a pale central stripe bordered by darker lines. When flushed, it performs a rapid, erratic zigzag flight, making it difficult to follow.

Habitat:
Wetlands, marshes, reedbeds, wet grasslands, and muddy edges of lakes and rivers. Prefers areas with dense vegetation and soft ground for probing.

Status in the UAE:
Common winter visitor. Widely recorded in suitable wetland habitats across the country.

Diet:
Carnivorous — feeds mainly on worms, insect larvae, small invertebrates, and occasionally seeds, probing deep into mud with its sensitive bill.

Behavior:
Highly secretive and well-camouflaged, often remaining motionless until disturbed. When flushed, it takes off suddenly with a distinctive zigzag flight. Usually solitary or in small numbers. More often detected by movement than by sight.

Conservation status:
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)