Jack or Common Snipe

[DaiTheDragon]

The photo I put in the Gallery a few days ago I thought was a common snipe.
However I read in one of my books today that the Jack Snipe does a bobbing motion with it's body when feeding and that is exactly what this one was doing.S is it a Jack or Common.

Dai

[aeshna5]

Dai- you were correct- that is a Common Snipe as the bill is much shorter on Jack Snipe; it also has a different head pattern with a split supercilium + dark crown stripe + JS also doesn't show barred flanks. Though you can't judge the size of the bird from the photo, in the field JS is 2/3 the size of Snipe.

I have seen Snipe bob, but very rarely; it is very distinctive in JS.

[The Black Rabbit]

Thats a lovely photo dai!
Interesting to hear your point about Snipe too Aeshna.
And your comment reminds me of the only time I've managed to see a (wee)Jack Snipe. At London Wetlands Centre a few years ago. Bobbing away like it was desperate for a trip to the lavatory!
I think that trip managed to convince me that a telescope might indeed be a good idea, but it was great to see, anyway...
Doug

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by The Black Rabbit

Thats a lovely photo dai!
Interesting to hear your point about Snipe too Aeshna.
And your comment reminds me of the only time I've managed to see a (wee)Jack Snipe. At London Wetlands Centre a few years ago. Bobbing away like it was desperate for a trip to the lavatory!
I think that trip managed to convince me that a telescope might indeed be a good idea, but it was great to see, anyway...
Doug

Doug- I think London Wetland Centre is possibly one of the best places in UK to actually see this bird. Though they are fairly widespread winter visitors they are not often easy to locate, whereas at LWC they are often visible.

Lower Moors, St. Mary's, Scilly in autumn is another good spot for them.

I loved your analogy about the loo- I do find it comical to watch them, a real star bird!

[Hobjob]

Originally Posted by DaiTheDragon

The photo I put in the Gallery a few days ago I thought was a common snipe.
However I read in one of my books today that the Jack Snipe does a bobbing motion with it's body when feeding and that is exactly what this one was doing.S is it a Jack or Common.

Dai

I ws with some experts a few weeks back you ID'd a Jack snipe on the basis of the characteristic bobbing motion, only to have to revise the opinion when s/he came into the open - which was a shame as I thought I'd got them sussed in my mind

[za64]

i saw my first jack snipe yesterday at london wetlands thanks to a friendly birder who let us look though his scope.
a bit pricey to get in but a nice couple of hours birding.
alan

[naturelover]

thats a lovely photoe so sharp,you guys are so cleaver to know so much about birds,HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all when it gets here.

[Ukwildlifeo]

I read something about a jack snipe having a larger eye too (this ones eye looks huge!). Is this true?

[MagpieMick]

This is a Jack Snipe that showed very well at Widewater Lagoon, near Lancing, West Sussex on the 23.12.07.

Shorter bill and you can see how the bold yellowish stripes on the back with the greenish tinge on the mantle and scapulars (back).



Mick..