Jack snipe

    Lymnocryptes minimus

Castilian: Agachadiza chica

Catalan: Becadell sord

Gallego: Becacina pequena

Euskera: Istingor txikia

CLASIFICACIÓN:

Orden: Charadriiformes

Family: Scolopacidae

Migratory status: Winter resident

CONSERVATION STATUS:

In the 2004 edition of the Red Book of Spanish Birds (Libro Rojo de las Aves de España) it is listed as “Insufficient Data”.

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THREATS

As is the case with almost all aquatic birds, the snipe is primarily affected by the destruction of wetlands and illegal hunting.

Length / size: 17-19 cm / 38-42 cm

Identification: Small wader with a long bill and cryptic colours that prevent it from being seen in undergrowth. It has a double stripe on its head above the eye; its scapular feathers are greenish and marked by two vertical cream-coloured lines; its breast and belly are light; and its throat has brown streaks. Adults and juveniles are very similar in appearance. In flight its wedge-shaped tail, its brown plumage and the white edge of its secondary feathers can all be observed.

Song: When it is in the air, it makes a rought "cacht" sound. In the courtship flight, it makes a hollow and hoarse "co co cheert".

Diet: It feeds on insects, worms, mollusks and seeds.

Reproduction: The nest is built on the ground under some small brush, and it is covered with grass and stalks. The eggs are laid between late April and May, and the chicks move about and feed themselves shortly after being born.

HABITAT

It occupies wetlands with shallow waters and plant cover, but it breeds in open or peaty areas.

DISTRIBUTION

In Spain: Its distribution is scattered all over the peninsula, especially in the north and west, in coastal and inland areas. It is also found on the Balearic Islands.

In Castile and León: In winter it is distributed throughout all the provinces.

Movements and migrations: Migration through our country to African wintering enclaves takes place between October and November, returning to their breeding areas between February and April.

POPULATION

In Spain: There is an estimated population of 250-1000 wintering individuals.

In Castile and León: