CreatureData

Common snipe vs Giant snipe

The giant snipe is heavier: 312.4 g against 112.9 g for the common snipe, about 2.8 times the weight.

Common snipe (Gallinago gallinago)
Common snipe LCLeast Concern
Photo: Hobbyfotowiki · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Giant snipe (Gallinago undulata)
Giant snipe LCLeast Concern
Photo: Hector Bottai · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

What is the difference between a common snipe and a giant snipe?

Each point below is worked out from a pair of recorded values.

  • The giant snipe is heavier: 312.4 g against 112.9 g for the common snipe, about 2.8 times the weight.
  • Both belong to the genus Gallinago, so they are close relatives.
  • Both are listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Side by side

Common snipeGiant snipe
Scientific nameGallinago gallinagoGallinago undulata
FamilyScolopacidaeScolopacidae
OrderCharadriiformesCharadriiformes
Weight100.5 g – 128 g294 g – 332 g
LengthNot recordedNot recorded
Lifespan12.3 yearsNot recorded
Main foodNot recordedNot recorded
Habitatwetlandgrassland
Conservation statusLeast ConcernLeast Concern
Countries recordedNot recordedNot recorded

A scale drawing needs a recorded length for both animals; only weights are on record for this pair.

Full record: Common snipeFull record: Giant snipeCompare other animals