Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae
The Magellanic Snipe is a medium-sized, cryptically colored shorebird native to southern South America, especially Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. Its mottled brown plumage provides excellent camouflage among marshes and wet grasslands. This elusive bird is most often detected by its unique display flight and haunting calls during the breeding season. Unlike many other snipes, it is largely resident, though some populations may move locally in response to changing water levels. The species is solitary or found in pairs, and its secretive habits make it challenging to observe closely. The Magellanic Snipe plays an important role in wetland ecosystems by feeding on invertebrates and helping to aerate the soil with its probing bill.
Habitat
Found in wet grasslands, marshes, bogs, and flooded meadows across southern South America, especially in Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego.
Foraging
Feeds by probing soft mud and shallow water for insects, worms, and other invertebrates, often at dawn and dusk.
