The Wilson's Snipe can be heard during courtship at dawn, dusk, and hours after dark (Michael 1987). The sound heard is from the male's fanned outer tail feathers, making humming sound during aerial dives (Ehrlich et al. 1988 and Chadwick 1989). The faster the male goes the higher the pitch of the hum. In Tennessee, it is not likely to hear the courtship of the snipe (Owen 1976), but they are regularly seen in Tennessee (Tennessee Ornithological Society 2006).

In North Carolina, it is a winter resident, but is less common in the mountains than on the coast (Potter et al. 1980). The Wilson's Snipe of North America was recently split from the Old World Common Snipe, but the two are almost indistinguishable in the field. The staff of the Smokies assume that all records from within the park are the Wilson's Snipe until we have proof to the contrary.

Length: 10 in. (26 2/3 cm) (Kaufman 2000).

Physical characteristics:
Very long bill and short legs. It has a brown back and head with long, white lateral streaks down the back. The belly is white with light brown streaking on the breast and flanks.

Voice:
During takeoff, it makes a raspy 'zzkahh'. While in flight during the summer, it will make a rapid, 'hooting trill' (Kaufman 2000).

Breeding habitat:
Wet, grassy habitats in hilly areas, even into the tundra (Ehrlich et al. 1988).

Mating system:
Females are only monogamous once the nest site is selected, beforehand they are promiscuous. The male performs aerial dives with fanned out tail feathers, making a fluttering sound (Ehrlich et al. 1988).

Nest:
The female makes a scrape, formed by her breast. It is made of a clump of grass and is hidden by tall surrounding grasses. The scrape is formed with dead grass, leaves, or moss, and is lined with fine grass (Ehrlich et al. 1988).

Eggs:
The eggs are brownish-olive color, with dark brown markings, 1.5 in. (39 mm). Typically four eggs are laid per clutch and pairs brood once per year (Ehrlich et al. 1988).

Chick development:
The female incubates the eggs for 18-20 days. The young are born precocial, finding their own food. The male and female share responsibilities in tending to the young, which fledge in 19-20 days (Ehrlich et al. 1988).

Diet:
Feeds on a variety of invertebrates such as insects, crustaceans, mollusks, and earthworms. This bird also drinks a lot of water. It forages for food from web substrate, either under water or near water. It may also take food from the water column (Ehrlich et al. 1988).

Conservation Biology:
The Wilson's Snipe forages in or near water, so wetlands are crucial for the survival of this species. The American Bird Conservancy has this species listed as medium abundance with declines and higher threats.

Breeding: Breeds from Alaska east through Canada, south to northern portions of the United States, Rocky Mountains, and Sierra Nevada.

Winter: Winters in the southeastern US and west coast to South America.

In Park: It is an uncommon migrant and uncommon winter resident, and usually found in Cades Cove (Alsop 2003). The earliest fall record was near Deep Creek on September 3 in 1938 and the latest spring sighting was May 11 in 1950 (Stupka 1963). Most fall sightings come from late October and most spring sightings come from mid-March to late April. Besides Cades Cove and Deep Creek, this species has been observed at Park Headquarters, Purchase Knob, and the Oconaluftee area.

References:

Alsop, F. J. 1991. Birds of the Smokies. Great Smoky Mountains Natural History Association. Gatlinburg, TN.

Chadwick, D. 1989. Never snicker at a snipe. National Wildlife. August/September Issue, p. 12-15.

Ehrlich, P. R., D. S. Dobkin, and D. Wheye. 1988. The Birder?s Handbook: A Field Guide to the Natural History of North American Birds. Simon and Schuster, Inc. New York.

Kaufman, K. 2000. Birds of North America. Hillstar Editions L. C. New York.

LeGrand, H. E. and Hall, S. P., compilers. 1999. Natural Heritage Program List of the Rare Animals of North Carolina. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Division of Parks and Recreation, North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Reso

Tennessee Ornithological Society. 2006. Available at The Official Checklist of the Birds of Tennessee. Accessed on May 5, 2006.

Withers, D. I., K. Condict, and R. McCoy. 2004. A Guide to the Rare Animals of Tennessee. Division of Natural Heritage, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.

Potter, E. F., J. F. Parnell, and R. P. Teulings. 1980. Birds of the Carolinas. The University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill.

Stupka, A. 1963. Notes on the Birds of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. University of Tennessee Press, Knoxville, TN.