painted snipe

either of two snipelike birds of the family Rostratulidae, of South America and the Old World tropics, the female of which is larger and more brightly colored than the male.

[1805-15]

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▪ bird

 either of two species of marsh birds comprising the family Rostratulidae (order Charadriiformes). They are boldly marked birds with a snipelike body and bill. Painted snipes are about 25 cm (10 inches) in length and are brown and white in colour.

      The Old World painted snipe (Rostratula benghalensis) ranges from Africa to Australia and Japan and has yellowish “spectacles” around the eyes. The South American painted snipe (Nycticryphes semicollaris) is a darker bird with a yellow-striped back.

      In both species the female is larger and brighter in colour than the male. She courts the male, and he undertakes most of the nesting duties. Painted snipes nest on the ground, the Old World painted snipe laying four eggs, the South American species laying two eggs. The downy young readily take to the water.

      For other snipe species (family Scolopacidae), see snipe.

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