Where do we live?

We need your sightings of

Brushing up on the
The Australian Painted Snipe has been recorded
Australian Painted Snipe!
in all states, with most records from the
Murray–Darling Basin.
Your observations are vital in helping us learn more
Australian
about this threatened species.
How can you help?
• Report all sightings to Birds Australia
Painted Snipe
• Participate in the national surveys coordinated
by Birds Australia
Even if you see no Australian Painted Snipe during
a wetland survey.........

They inhabit many different types of shallow freshwater please let us know!
and brackish wetlands, especially temporary ones, with
muddy areas and small low lying islands. Patchy low
vegetation in and around the wetland provides great
hiding spots and makes them difficult to find!

For more information:

www.birdsaustralia.com.au/our-projects/australian-
painted-snipe.html
or contact the Threatened Bird Network Coordinator at
Birds Australia:
Ph: (03) 9347 0757
Em: tbn@birdsaustralia.com.au
An initiative of Birds Australia’s Threatened Bird Network, funded by the Australian
Government’s Caring for our Country.
Images: Jeff Davies*, Chris Tzaros & Ash Herrod.
Text: Janelle Thomas & John Peter.
Design: Christine Larsen.
Acknowledgements: Dean Ingwersen & Danny Rogers for comments on text.

*Australian Painted Snipe illustrations from upcoming new

field guide to the birds of Australia,
Artists: J.Davies & P.Marsack,
Authors: P.Menkhorst, D.Rogers & R.Clarke, CSIRO Publishing. Helping to continue the search ...
The Australian painted Snipe is now
a nationally threatened species.
The loss of suitable wetland habitat has caused
a serious decline in the abundance of Australian
Painted Snipe since European settlement.
 Australian Painted Snipe Don’t confuse us!
Latham’s Snipe is a migratory wader that is
What do we look like? sometimes confused with the Australian Painted
Snipe. Despite a few superficial similarities, the
Australian Painted Snipe are medium-sized, stocky wading birds, about two species are quite distinctive.
22–25cm long. A number of striking, unique plumage characteristics can
be used for identification.
• Pale V on back
Latham’s Snipe can
• Cream comma-shaped marking around eye be distinguished by;
• Buff or white crown stripe
• Long pinkish bill with a bulbous tip
Australian Painted Snipe On the ground:
• Broad round spots Lathams Snipe
on wings (male) Pale eyebrow above the eye
Longer, straighter bill
Streaks and mottling on
breast with no white breast/
shoulder stripe
Latham’s Snipe Rufous tail with a black band

In flight:
• Fine barring on Australian Painted Snipe
wings (female) Broad rounded wings
Pale stripe on underwing
Feet extend beyond tip of tail
male female and dangle in flight
Takes off silently, and flies
• Bold clean white breast/shoulder stripe
straight and low
• Plain white underparts
• Spots on tail

In flight:
Distinguishing males from females Latham’s Snipe
MALE FEMALE Pointed wings
HEAD & BREAST Brown with pale barring. Uniform dark brown/chestnut. Underwing dark grey with
white barring
HINDNECK Grey. Rufous.
Legs do not extend beyond tip
WINGS Conspicuous spots. Fine barring. of tail
Juveniles Noisy in flight with zig-zagging
UPPERPARTS Grey-green, Darker, glossy olive-green. Juveniles of both sexes appear
lighter than female. or towering flight
similar to adult males, but their
white breast/shoulder stripe is less
SIZE Slightly smaller than female.
distinct and lacks a dark border.