The Greater Painted Snipe (Rostratula benghalensis) is highly nomadic and partially migratory.
The male snipe is duller than the female. The females are larger in size. Their size varies between 19-28 cms and is around 122 grams. The Greater Painted Snipe is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN. Painted Snipes are shy, uncommon, and easily overlooked, making them special birding moments. The Painted Snipes are related to other snipes by their name only because they form part of a completely different family. The Painted Snipes are sister to the Jacanas.
Polyandry appears to be the Painted Snipe’s principal breeding system which is a trade shared by the Jacanas. Females are larger and will take the dominant role in territory establishment and mating attractions. Nesting may occur at any time of the year depending on rainfall. The nests are often built in sedge stems or grass blades growing in soft mud or water. Chicks leave the nest and follows their father around who teaches them to select certain food items.
Males are known to carry the chicks to safety under their wings. They are not a vocal species and are usually found close to reeds, marshes, ponds, and streams. The Painted Snipe is omnivorous, their diet includes insects, crustaceans, snails, fish, and grass seeds.
“The title “sniper” comes from the bird group snipes. At one stage they were hunted but only the best shooters could hit them because they fly very fast. The shooters that did hit them got labeled “Sniper.” Another weird thing is that their eyes are almost at the back of their heads while their ears are in the front of the eyes, their long bills are flexible, and they have extra tail feathers that emit a spooky sound. They are extremely well camouflaged making them very difficult to detect when they stand dead still.”
Thank you to Delwin Eggers for the informative material and picture.