Photo: Derek Keats from Johannesburg, South Africa / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
African Snipe
Gallinago nigripennis
African Snipe (Gallinago nigripennis) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of Africa.
Found across 6 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The African Snipe (Gallinago nigripennis) is a member of the Scolopacidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 112 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Charadriiformes
- Family Scolopacidae Sandpipers, Snipes
- Genus Gallinago
- Species nigripennis
Where it lives
Subtropical to tropical wetlands of northeastern, south-central, southern Africa
Quick facts
- Weight
- 112 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Scolopacidae
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The African Snipe hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The African Snipe is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The African Snipe (Gallinago nigripennis) belongs to the Scolopacidae family of the order Charadriiformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF subtropical to tropical wetlands of ne, sc, s Africa.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 112 g, with a wing length of about 12.6 cm and a tail of around 5.5 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 5.6 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the African Snipe?
The African Snipe is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 112 g.
Where does the African Snipe live?
The African Snipe is found across Africa with a range covering AF subtropical to tropical wetlands of ne, sc, s Africa, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the African Snipe belong to?
The African Snipe (Gallinago nigripennis) belongs to the Scolopacidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.
What does the African Snipe eat?
The African Snipe hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the African Snipe migrate?
The African Snipe is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the African Snipe endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the African Snipe make?
1 real field recording of the African Snipe — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the African Snipe's range?
The African Snipe has a mapped global range of about 5.6 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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