Rostratulidae - painted snipes

There are three species in this family of marsh-dwelling birds, the greater painted snipe, the Australian painted snipe, and the South American painted snipe. They look like snipes with a rounded head, large eyes, long bills, a short neck, and short legs with long toes. Most species are a mixture of browns and grays with white streaks. While these birds look like snipes, they are more closely related to jacanas.

Except for the breeding season painted snipes are solitary birds. They feed on seeds, worms, insects, snails, and small crustaceans.

The greater painted snipe is unusual in that the female is more boldly patterned than the male. The female courts the male and the male incubates the eggs and cares for the chicks!

The Australian snipe was once considered the same species as the greater painted snipe, but it is now considered a seperate species.

World Status Key
Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in Wild Extinct
Status taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status, or there is no status data for the species.

Threatened in US Threatened in NH Endangered in US

Endangered in NH Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game

Species Around the World
Location Key Africa Asia Australia/Oceania Europe North/Central America South America NH Species
Australian Painted Snipe - Rostratula australis Greater Painted-snipe - Rostratula benghalensis		South American Painted-snipe - Rostratula semicollaris

Additional Information

Resource Key
Profile Photos Video Audio