Wilson's Snipe
Gallinago delicata
- Class
- Bird
- Rarity
- Rare
- Observations
- 17,748
- Most observed in
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Conservation
- Least Concern
Description
Wilson's snipe (Gallinago delicata) is a small, stocky shorebird. The generic name Gallinago is Neo-Latin for a woodcock or snipe from Latin gallina, "hen" and the suffix -ago, "resembling". The specific name delicata is Latin for "dainty". This species was considered to be a subspecies of the common snipe (G. gallinago) until 2003 when it was given its own species status, though not all authorities recognized this immediately. Wilson's snipe differs from the latter species in having a narrower white trailing edge to the wings, and eight pairs of tail feathers instead of the typical seven of the common snipe. Its common name commemorates the American ornithologist Alexander Wilson.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article “Wilson's snipe”.