Subantarctic Snipe
Coenocorypha aucklandica
Small brown- and black-mottled wader with a long, slightly downcurved bill. The only snipe species known to occupy the Auckland, Campbell, and Antipodes Islands, with slight variations in size and markings between the three island subspecies. Prefers dense vegetation during the daytime. Male call often heard at dawn and dusk. Call is a “trerk trerk trerk” occasionally building to a “queeyoo queeyoo.” The Maori name (Hakawai) is given to their nocturnal aerial flight display, which includes a roaring sound of air vibrating through their spread tail feathers. Distinguished from possible vagrant Latham’s Snipe by smaller size and shorter wings and legs.
Identification
The Subantarctic snipe is a small wading bird with adults growing to about 23 cm (9 in) in length. It has cryptic brown plumage, sturdy legs and a slender beak about 5 cm (2 in) long. The head is striped in black and reddish brown and the body is brown, mottled with black and reddish brown.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Coenocorypha aucklandica
- Authority
- (Gray, GR, 1845)
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Family
- Scolopacidae
- Genus
- Coenocorypha
Range and habitat
The Subantarctic snipe is endemic to certain islands to the south of New Zealand. Each island or group of islands has its own subspecies. New Zealand formerly had two mainland species of snipe, but both of these are extinct. The South Island snipe (C. iredalei) became extinct on Jacky Lee Island when the flightless weka was introduced and on Taukihepa / Big South Cape Island (both the former and the latter muttonbird islands south of Stewart Island), its last refuge after black rats (Rattus rattus) arrived there in 1964. The last North Island Snipe (C. barrierensis) was seen in 1870 on Little Barrier Island. The Campbell Island Snipe (C. a. perseverance) were nearly extinguished but a few remained on an outlying islet and recolonised the main island when rats were exterminated there. A further two subspecies are the Antipodes snipe(C. a. meinertzhagenae) on the Antipodes Islands and the Auckland Island snipe(C. a. aucklandica) on the Auckland Islands. The Snares Island snipe (Coenocorypha huegeli) was formerly thought to be a subspecies of the Subantarctic snipe, but is now recognised as a separate species.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The Subantarctic snipe seldom flies, is relatively tame and nests on the ground and this puts it at risk of predation by land-based predators. It favours areas of dense ground cover and feeds on a range of invertebrates. It has a characteristic courtship display which takes place at night when males make vertical dives from considerable heights. Nesting takes place at different dates between August and January on the different islands.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Javan Myna
Acridotheres javanicus
Originally restricted to the Indonesian islands of Java and Bali, this crested myna has since been introduced to Singapore, Taiwan, and various parts of Malaysia and Indonesia. Dark gray overall with a spiffy erect crest and a bright yellowish-orange bill. Darker than Jungle Myna, with which it overlaps in both its native and introduced ranges. Also compare with Crested Myna; note Javan’s brighter bill and white vent. Bold and social, foraging in farms, parks, and gardens. Roosts in large noisy flocks, often close to human habitation.
Black-headed Penduline-Tit
Remiz macronyx
Distinctive-looking small bird found in riverside or lakeside vegetation such as reeds; generally avoids the densest stands. Buffy-brown overall with a dark head; Central Asian birds average paler than Iranian birds. Sexes are similar, but females are lighter-colored and less contrastingly marked. The ‘caspia’ form of Eurasian Penduline-Tit can be similar, but Black-headed has an entirely dark head instead of a dark mask. Like other penduline-tits, builds a hanging pouch nest, which in this species is typically woven between reeds.
Dusky Purpletuft
Iodopleura fusca
Small, uncommon cotinga; usually seen perched in the uppermost bare branches of a high tree. At a distance, appears mostly black with a conspicuous white line down center of breast. Poorly known; found in tall rainforest and lower-stature forests on white sand where it is often seen in pairs or small groups. Feeds on fruit. Size, shape, and habit of perching in bare treetops recall the much more common Swallow-winged Puffbird, which lacks purpletuft’s white breast stripe. Calls are soft, indistinct whistles.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.