Snipe tend to be more active at dusk and dawn. During the day, they are easy to overlook as they sit still blending into their background. Their very long bill is used to probe for worms and other invertebrates in the mud. The tip of the bill can be opened independently of the rest of the bill as seen here. This is a trait called "rhynchokinesis." This secretive species was formerly lumped with the Common Snipe (G. gallinago) of Eurasia. However it differs in its courtship display flight, and the winnowing sounds made by its attenuated outer rectrices during courtship. It also differs slightly in plumage and has more and narrower rectrices cf. Common Snipe.
