Snipe in Hokkaido, Japan (1 Viewer)

HokkaidoStu

occasional moderator

Staff member

Supporter

• May 10, 2015

• #1

I noticed 3 snipe on a little marsh in south Hokkaido, Japan this afternoon.

Lathams Snipe are the breeding snipe species here but are quite pale, tese ones look much more rufous.............also Lathams Snipe prefer grasslands not wetlands.

They could be Common/Swinhoes/Pin Tailed.

I have no idea, any pointers/opinions would be gratefully received.

Lousy photos, I know. 100% crops...........

 

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Djerf

Well-known member

• May 10, 2015

• #2

Don't take this answer for the correct one, I'm certainly not an expert on the subject (I know nothing about Lathams Snipe...). But I think most visible characters in the photos, like bill length (long), tail length (long), the golden "bands" on the back (strong), the shape of the eyebrow (not that bulging) all are good pointers in the direction of Common Snipe - and away from Pin-tailed and Swinhoes. It would be very interesting to hear comments from those of you who know your snipes!
Joakim

 

rockfowl

Mark Andrews

• May 10, 2015

• #3

They are indeed Common Snipe, note the broad scapular fringes (outer edge only) and checkerplate contrasting covert tips also.

 

Djerf

Well-known member

• May 10, 2015

• #4

Thank you Rockfowl!

 

chris butterworth

aka The Person Named Above

• May 10, 2015

• #5

Broad pale outer margins to the lower scapulars rule out Pintail ( the margins are far more equal in width in Pintail ). The lack of contrast between the base colour of the greater coverts and the rest of the wing is also one more thing that points away from Pintail and towards Swinhoes / Common. The loral line is far to broad / even in width for "Swintail" so, Common.

 

Last edited: May 10, 2015

Djerf

Well-known member

• May 10, 2015

• #6

Thank you Chris!

 

HokkaidoStu

occasional moderator

Staff member

Supporter

• May 11, 2015

• #7

Thanks for the pointers everyone, at least I was right when I thought it wasn't a Lathams Snipe..............