Gallinago nigripennis
The African Snipe is a wading bird closely associated with wetland habitats (seasonal or permanent) with a muddy substrate and flooded vegetation, where they feed on aquatic invertebrates ranging from worms to crabs. Adults grow to about 28cm in length and average 113g in weight.
African Snipes build their grass-platform nests in dense vegetation surrounded by water or wet ground. Pairs are monogamous and build their nests well away from others of their kind, and at any time of year though there appears to be a breeding peak in winter. Clutches of 1-3 eggs are incubated solely by the female but both parents take care of the chicks, which leave the nest when they’re about 3 weeks old. When not breeding they may occur in flocks of around 20 or so.
The African Snipe occurs widely over eastern, central and southern Africa, and is listed as being of least concern by the IUCN, despite their preferred habitats being threatened by exploitation. In South Africa they have a wide if patchy distribution in all provinces except the Northern Cape.
DeWetsWild 
I have only seen this snipe a few times and was struck by how exquisite its markings are.
Their camouflage renders them easily overlooked!
I’m not aware that we have anything even remotely close to this long-billed bird. He’s very distinctive with that long needle-nose 🙂
I bet one day on the Trans-Canada Trail you are going to bump into this fellow, Joanne: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilson%27s_snipe
Interesting!! It looks like I’ll have to the go the west coast in hopes of seeing one …. or into the US, which isn’t going to happen any time soon …
Merkwaardige dun lang snawel, prooi sal nie kan wegkruip nie
Beslis perfek aangepas om hul plek vol te staan.
So baie neefs en niggies wêreldwyd! 😉
En elkeen perfek aangepas by sy nis!
So baie verskillende voels !!
En hulle is almal so fassinerend!
A beautiful bird! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
The pleasure is ours – thanks for visiting!
I always look forward to your posts and learning more about the beautiful nature in your country 🙂
And we love to share!
Ah Ha! So there really is such a bird as a snipe! Supposedly that is a trick played on many an unsuspecting teenager, when older and supposedly wiser friends take them out snipe hunting and leave them alone in the woods to find their way back home. Cruel joke to be sure. I will be sure to save a picture of this bird to show future generations. 😉
Oops! Copyrighted, so I will just save the link to the whole story.
No please, Beth – you are most welcome to use the photos to assist in arming the new generation with knowledge!
LOL, have to warn my grandchildren!
Can you believe I found two stories about snipes in one day?
https://wordpress.com/read/blogs/74819841/posts/8528
Funny how things work out sometimes!
Armed with an image of their quarry they might just turn the tables on the tricksters!
Daardie bekkie laat hom regtig snipperig lyk! Pragtige foto’s en Interessante inligting, Dries.
Dankie, Dina!
I loved your close up of the snipe! I hear the “haunting” winnowing sound of our local species more often then I see them.
They really are excellently camouflaged – even when standing right in the open!
That bill is truly awesome for such a small bird.
A perfect adaptation to its way of life