CreatureData

Common snipe vs Great snipe

The great snipe is heavier: 170 g against 112.9 g for the common snipe, about 51% more.

Common snipe (Gallinago gallinago)
Common snipe LCLeast Concern
Photo: Hobbyfotowiki · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Great snipe (Gallinago media)
Great snipe NTNear Threatened
Photo: Jimfbleak · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

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

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

  • The great snipe is heavier: 170 g against 112.9 g for the common snipe, about 51% more.
  • Both belong to the genus Gallinago, so they are close relatives.
  • The common snipe is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List; the great snipe is Near Threatened.

Side by side

Common snipeGreat snipe
Scientific nameGallinago gallinagoGallinago media
FamilyScolopacidaeScolopacidae
OrderCharadriiformesCharadriiformes
Weight100.5 g – 128 g156 g – 179.5 g
LengthNot recordedNot recorded
Lifespan12.3 yearsNot recorded
Main foodNot recordedNot recorded
Habitatwetlandwetland
Conservation statusLeast ConcernNear Threatened
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: Great snipeCompare other animals