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snipe


snipe

/

Common snipe (Gallinago gallinago).—Ingmar Holmasen

Any of about 20 species of birds (family Scolopacidae) that frequent wet meadows and marshes in temperate and warm regions worldwide. They are short-legged and chunky, with brown, black, and white stripes and bars. The wings are pointed and angular. The long, flexible bill is used to probe mud for worms. The common snipe (Gallinago gallinago) is about 12 in. (30 cm) long, including the bill.

This entry comes from Encyclopædia Britannica Concise.
For the full entry on snipe, visit Britannica.com.

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