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page.Snipe
Gallinago gallinago
Snipe inhabit all of western, central, eastern and northern Europe, but do not breed in the south. They leave their breeding grounds from July to September making for Africa as far south as Uganda, though large numbers also winter in southwestern, southern and western Europe. In March and April it returns to its breeding grounds in marshy and damp meadows beside ponds and lakes. The nest is built during April, May or sometimes June in a hollow in a clump of grass. The structure consists of dry stalks and long leaves and is well concealed from above by drooping grass stems. The clutch consists of four prettily coloured eggs, which the female incubates alone for 19 to 21 days. While she sits on the nest, the male often flies high in the air, swooping down to the ground every now and then. When he plummets earthwards he makes a characteristic drumming sound caused by the vibration of the specially-shaped outer tail feathers. The nestlings scatter throughout the neighbourhood as soon as they are dry. They are brownish-black with white spots, which is excellent camouflage. Both parents care for the young. At 20 days they begin to fly, and in the autumn join other snipe to form flocks. The diet consists mainly of insects and their larvae, also small molluscs, worms, spiders and other invertebrates.
Click on any of the other bird links, these are Geese Barnacle Goose : Brent Goose : Canada Goose : Greylag Goose
Or on the Ducks: Gadwall : Goldeneye : Goosander : Mallard : Pintail : Pochard : Red Breasted Merganser : Red Crested Pochard : Shellduck : Shoveler : Teal : Tufted Duck : Wigeon
And the rest, in no real order of importance: Common Sandpiper : Coot. : Corncrake : Curlew. : Dunlin : Greenshank : Lapwing : Moorhen : Oystercatcher : Redshank : Ringed Plover : Snipe : Spotted Crake : Stone Curlew : Turnstone : Whimbrel : Woodcock.
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